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 duhng háu bāt duhng sáu

語句

Definition

An advice that a gentleman uses words, not force, to resolve disputes.

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有waa6話maan6慢maan2慢gong2講，gwan1君zi2子dung6動hau2口bat1不dung6動sau2手aa4呀。

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

nei5你dei6哋loeng5兩go3個laang5冷zing6靜di1啲，gwan1君zi2子dung6動hau2口bat1不dung6動sau2手maa3嘛。

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

Common phrases

dung6動hau2口bat1不dung6動sau2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.