gou1 cyu3 bat1 sing1 hon4高處不勝寒高处不胜寒

Jyutpinggou1 cyu3 bat1 sing1 hon4

Yalegōu chyu bāt sīng hòhn

語句

Definition

It is lonely at the top; literally, one cannot bear the cold of high places.

writtenpeopleemotion

How it's used

This idiom carries a melancholic and reflective tone, often used to describe the psychological isolation that accompanies success or authority. It implies that as one climbs the social or professional ladder, the distance from peers increases, making genuine connection difficult. It is frequently applied to public figures, executives, or anyone who has reached a peak in their field.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做zo2咗daai6大lou5老baan2闆zi1之hau6後，zan1真hai6係gou1高cyu3處bat1不sing1勝hon4寒。

Ever since he became the big boss, he really feels lonely at the top.

nei5你ji5以wai4為gou1高cyu3處bat1不sing1勝hon4寒，kei4其sat6實hai6係nei5你m4唔gau3夠pang4朋jau5友。

You think it's lonely at the top, but actually you just don't have enough friends.

Common phrases

gam2感dou3到gou1高cyu3處bat1不sing1勝hon4寒

to feel lonely at the top

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of weather or altitude. It is strictly used in a metaphorical sense to describe social or emotional isolation, not physical coldness.