gaa1 jau5 jat1 lou5 jyu4 jau5 jat1 bou2家有一老，如有一寶家有一老，如有一宝
Jyutpinggaa1 jau5 jat1 lou5 jyu4 jau5 jat1 bou2
Yalegā yáuh yāt lóuh yùh yáuh yāt bóu
Definition
An elderly person at home is like having a valuable treasure; a saying highlighting the wisdom and experience of the elderly.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This proverb highlights the cultural value placed on the wisdom and life experience of the elderly within a family unit. It is frequently invoked to encourage younger generations to respect, care for, and listen to their elders, even when generational gaps cause friction. The phrase serves as a gentle reminder that the presence of an older family member provides a sense of stability and guidance that money cannot buy.
Examples
Having an elderly person at home is truly like having a treasure.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
