haang4 syun4 hou2 gwo3 waan1行船好過灣行船好过湾
Definition
To walk slowly is better than stopping altogether, used as a metaphor to mean having a job is better than being unemployed.
How it's used
This proverb uses a nautical metaphor where a ship moving slowly is still making progress compared to being anchored in a bay. It is frequently used to advise someone who is unemployed or dissatisfied with their current situation to accept a less-than-ideal job rather than remaining idle. It carries a pragmatic tone, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's livelihood and professional momentum.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical movement or literal travel, as it is strictly a metaphorical expression about employment and productivity. It is also not typically used to describe someone who is simply taking a break or resting.
Grammar color guide
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.
