gau2 ce2 tau1 sang1苟且偷生
Jyutpinggau2 ce2 tau1 sang1
Yalegáu ché tāu sāng
Definition
To barely survive; to live on by compromising one's dignity or purpose.
writtenemotionpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of moral judgment and self-reproach, often used when someone feels they are compromising their values just to survive. It is a formal idiom that sounds quite heavy in casual conversation, typically reserved for discussing serious life choices or criticizing a lack of ambition. It implies a contrast between merely existing and living with purpose or integrity.
Examples
Do you really think living like this without any dignity is happy?
Related words
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
