han6 tit3 bat1 sing4 gong3恨鐵不成鋼恨铁不成钢
Jyutpinghan6 tit3 bat1 sing4 gong3
Yalehahn tit bāt sìhng gong
Definition
To feel resentful or frustrated towards someone for failing to meet expectations or showing a lack of ambition.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom describes a specific mix of love and disappointment, where the frustration stems from high expectations rather than genuine malice. It is often used by authority figures like parents or teachers to explain why they are being strict or harsh. The underlying sentiment is that the person being criticized has potential that is currently being wasted.
Examples
My mom feels frustrated seeing me being lazy all the time.
If you neglect your studies like this, how could your teacher not feel frustrated with you?
Related words
Common phrases
the feeling of being frustrated by someone's lack of progress
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simple anger or hatred, but it specifically requires a context of caring about the person's future success. It is not used for strangers or people you do not care about.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
