gun1 zi6 loeng5 go3 hau2官字兩個口官字两个口

Jyutpinggun1 zi6 loeng5 go3 hau2

Yalegūn jih léuhng go háu

Definition

The idea that authorities and officials can twist their words to always be right, implying social injustice.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom visually references the character 官, which features two mouth components stacked vertically. It implies that those in power can manipulate the interpretation of rules to suit their own interests, effectively allowing them to speak out of both sides of their mouth. It is frequently used to express frustration when facing bureaucratic hurdles or perceived corruption.

Examples

gun1官zi6字loeng5兩go3個hau2口，nei5你dim2點joeng2樣tung4同keoi5佢dau3鬥aa4呀？

The law is written by the powerful, how can you possibly fight them?

keoi5佢dei6哋gan1根bun2本zau6就hai6係gun1官zi6字loeng5兩go3個hau2口，dim2點gong2講dou1都hai6係keoi5佢aam1啱。

They are just playing the double standard game, whatever they say goes.

Common phrases

gun1官zi6字loeng5兩go3個hau2口，dim2點gong2講dou1都hai6係keoi5佢aam1啱

The authorities always have the final say regardless of the truth.

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe simple disagreements between equals. It specifically carries a heavy connotation of power imbalance where the speaker feels helpless against an institutional or authoritative entity.