gung1 ging3 bat1 jyu4 cung4 ming6恭敬不如從命恭敬不如从命

Jyutpinggung1 ging3 bat1 jyu4 cung4 ming6

Yalegūng ging bāt yùh chùhng mihng

語句

Definition

Obedience is better than politeness; a polite way to accept someone's invitation, offer, or request.

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How it's used

This expression is used when someone offers something or makes a request, and you want to signal that accepting their gesture is actually more respectful than repeatedly declining out of false modesty. It functions as a polite way to stop the back and forth of refusing an offer. It is often used in formal or semi-formal social situations where someone is being generous.

Examples

gei3既jin4然nei5你gam3咁jau5有sing4誠ji3意ceng2請ngo5我，gam3咁ngo5我zau6就gung1恭ging3敬bat1不jyu4如cung4從ming6命laa3喇。

Since you are so sincere in inviting me, I will accept your offer.

keoi5佢sung3送fan2份lai5禮bei2畀nei5你，nei5你bat1不jyu4如gung1恭ging3敬bat1不jyu4如cung4從ming6命sau1收zo2咗keoi5佢laa1啦。

He is giving you a gift, you should just accept it politely.

Common phrases

gung1恭ging3敬bat1不jyu4如cung4從ming6命

obedience is better than politeness

Common mistake

Learners often use this phrase as a general way to say yes, but it is specifically reserved for responding to an offer, invitation, or gift. It is not appropriate for agreeing to a command or a simple request for information.