gei2 so2 bat1 juk6 ，mat6 si1 jyu1 jan4己所不欲，勿施於人己所不欲，勿施于人
Jyutpinggei2 so2 bat1 juk6 ，mat6 si1 jyu1 jan4
Yalegéi só bāt yuhk ，maht sī yū yàhn
Definition
Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This classical idiom is widely recognized in Hong Kong as a fundamental moral guideline for interpersonal relationships. While it originates from the Analects of Confucius, it is frequently cited in modern contexts to remind people to practice empathy and avoid imposing their own preferences or burdens on others. It carries a formal and didactic tone, often used when correcting someone's inconsiderate behavior.
Examples
Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself, do you understand?
Related words
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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.
