gau2 ngaau5 leoi5 dung6 ban1狗咬呂洞賓狗咬吕洞宾

Jyutpinggau2 ngaau5 leoi5 dung6 ban1

Yalegáu ngáauh léuih duhng bān

語句

Definition

To bite the hand that feeds you; to mistake goodwill for bad intentions.

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How it's used

This is a classic Cantonese xiehouyu, or two-part allegorical saying, where the second part is often omitted because it is so well-known. It refers to the Taoist immortal Lu Dongbin, who tried to help a dog, only for the ungrateful animal to bite him. It is used specifically when someone reacts with hostility or suspicion to a genuine act of kindness.

Examples

nei5你bong1幫keoi5佢faan2反ji4而bei2俾jan4人naau6鬧，zan1真hai6係gau2狗ngaau5咬leoi5呂dung6洞ban1賓aa4呀。

You helped him but got scolded instead, it really is like a dog biting Lu Dongbin.

ngo5我hou2好sam1心tai4提nei5你，nei5你m4唔hou2好gau2狗ngaau5咬leoi5呂dung6洞ban1賓laa1啦。

I am kindly reminding you, don't be ungrateful and bite the hand that feeds you.

Related words

Common phrases

gau2狗ngaau5咬leoi5呂dung6洞ban1賓，bat1不sik1識hou2好jan4人sam1心

A dog bites Lu Dongbin, failing to recognize a good heart.

Common mistake

Learners often try to translate the literal dog imagery into English, but the phrase is strictly used to describe ingratitude. Do not use it for simple mistakes or misunderstandings; it requires a clear contrast between a benevolent intention and a malicious or ignorant response.