fung6 gung1 sau2 faat3奉公守法
Jyutpingfung6 gung1 sau2 faat3
Yalefuhng gūng sáu faat
Definition
To abide by the law and carry out one's official duties; law-abiding.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and slightly moralistic tone, often used to describe someone as a model citizen or to emphasize integrity. It is frequently employed in news reports or formal speeches to praise individuals who strictly follow regulations. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese sentences when discussing character or civic duty.
Examples
He has always been law-abiding and won't do anything reckless.
The most important thing in life is to abide by the law and not go astray.
Related words
Common phrases
a law-abiding citizen
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective like 'honest', but it specifically refers to legal compliance. Avoid using it to describe someone who is merely 'polite' or 'well-behaved' in a social setting, as it strictly relates to adherence to laws and rules.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
