gan6 zyu1 ze2 cek3 ，gan6 mak6 ze2 hak1近朱者赤，近墨者黑

Jyutpinggan6 zyu1 ze2 cek3 ，gan6 mak6 ze2 hak1

Yalegahn jyū jé chek ，gahn mahk jé hāk

Definition

One takes on the attributes of one's associates, for better or worse.

neutralpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom functions as a moral observation rather than a casual remark. It is frequently invoked by parents or mentors to warn someone about the company they keep. Because it carries a heavy didactic tone, it is rarely used in lighthearted or trivial social situations.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日tung4同waai6壞jan4人wun6玩，zan1真hai6係gan6近zyu1朱ze2者cek3赤，gan6近mak6墨ze2者haak1黑aa4呀。

He hangs out with bad people all the time; it really shows how you become like those you associate with.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得gan6近zyu1朱ze2者cek3赤，gan6近mak6墨ze2者haak1黑le1呢geoi3句je5嘢aam1啱m4唔ngaam1啱？

Do you think this saying about being influenced by one's companions is correct?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係gan6近zyu1朱ze2者cek3赤，gan6近mak6墨ze2者haak1黑

truly shows how one is influenced by their company

Common mistake

Learners often try to use this as a direct description of a person, but it is a proverb describing a process of influence. It cannot be used as an adjective to describe someone who is already bad or good.