gwaa1 tin4 lei5 haa6瓜田李下
Jyutpinggwaa1 tin4 lei5 haa6
Yalegwā tìhn léih hah
Definition
A situation or place that easily gives rise to suspicion.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Originating from ancient Chinese poetry, this idiom serves as a warning against placing oneself in situations where one's intentions could be easily misinterpreted. It is used to advise someone to maintain a distance from people or places that might lead others to gossip or cast doubt on their integrity. While it carries a slightly literary tone, it remains a common way to express the need for discretion in social or professional settings.
Examples
You had better be careful to avoid suspicion so people don't misunderstand you.
Related words
Common phrases
the suspicion of being in a compromising situation
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of gardening or fruit picking. It is strictly used as a metaphor for avoiding suspicious circumstances and should not be used when discussing actual agricultural activities.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
