fu2 hau2 po4 sam1苦口婆心

Jyutpingfu2 hau2 po4 sam1

Yalefú háu pòh sām

形容詞Uncommon

Definition

To advise or persuade someone earnestly, patiently, and with good intentions.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of parental or mentor-like concern, implying that the speaker is putting in significant emotional effort to guide someone who might be stubborn. It is almost exclusively used to describe someone who is trying to prevent another person from making a mistake or going down the wrong path. The tone is one of genuine care, even if the recipient finds the advice repetitive or annoying.

Examples

keoi5佢fu2苦hau2口po4婆sam1心hyun3勸zo2咗nei5你hou2好do1多ci3次，nei5你dou1都m4唔teng1聽。

He has earnestly and patiently advised you many times, but you just won't listen.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使gam3咁fu2苦hau2口po4婆sam1心aa1呀？keoi5佢zi6自gei2己wui2會nam2諗㗎laa1啦。

Do you really need to be so earnest and patient? He will figure it out himself.

Common phrases

fu2苦hau2口po4婆sam1心hyun3勸

earnestly and patiently advise

fu2苦hau2口po4婆sam1心gam3咁gong2講

speak in an earnest and patient manner

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for giving advice, but it specifically requires the element of patience and good intentions. It cannot be used for simple, neutral, or professional advice.