gwan1 zi2 dung6 hau2 bat1 dung6 sau2君子動口不動手君子动口不动手

Jyutpinggwan1 zi2 dung6 hau2 bat1 dung6 sau2

Yalegwān jí dungh háu bāt dungh sáu

Definition

A gentleman uses his mouth and not his fist

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This phrase is a classic moral exhortation used to de-escalate physical confrontations. It frames non-violence as a mark of high character and intellectual superiority. While it sounds formal due to its classical roots, it is frequently invoked in modern street or domestic arguments to shame an aggressor into stopping their physical behavior.

Examples

jau5 waa6 maan6 maan2 gong2 gwan1 zi2 dung6 hau2 bat1 dung6 sau2 aa4

有話慢慢講，君子動口不動手呀。

Talk it out slowly, a gentleman uses his tongue but not his fists.

nei5 dei6 loeng5 go3 laang5 zing6 di1 gwan1 zi2 dung6 hau2 bat1 dung6 sau2 maa3

你哋兩個冷靜啲，君子動口不動手嘛。

You two calm down, remember that a gentleman uses his tongue but not his fists.

Common phrases

dung6 hau2 bat1 dung6 sau2

動口不動手

to use words instead of force

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to describe someone who is simply talkative or argumentative. It is strictly reserved for situations where physical violence is either occurring or imminent.