gwong1 zung1 jiu6 zou2光宗耀祖
Definition
To bring honor to one's ancestors, indicating a great achievement or high honor.
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy weight of traditional Confucian values regarding family duty and social success. It is often used in a slightly dramatic or formal tone, even in casual conversation, to emphasize that an achievement is significant enough to be recognized by past generations. It is rarely used for minor accomplishments, as it implies a level of prestige that reflects back on the entire family lineage.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe personal pride or individual success, but it specifically requires the context of family legacy and ancestral recognition. It is not appropriate for describing simple career promotions or everyday personal goals.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
