hau6 gai3 mou4 jan4後繼無人后继无人

Jyutpinghau6 gai3 mou4 jan4

Yalehauh gai mòuh yàhn

語句

Definition

To have no successor or follower to carry on one's work or legacy.

neutralpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom carries a heavy sense of regret or concern regarding the loss of tradition, family lineage, or specialized skills. It is frequently used in discussions about traditional businesses or crafts that are struggling to find younger generations willing to take over. While it can refer to biological heirs, it is more commonly applied to the continuation of a professional legacy or a specific trade.

Examples

keoi5佢gaan1間lou5老zi6字hou6號hau6後gai3繼mou4無jan4人，hou2好ho2可sik1惜aa4呀。

It is a pity that his old shop has no one to carry on the legacy.

le1呢mun4門sau2手ngai6藝jyu4如gwo2果hau6後gai3繼mou4無jan4人，hou2好faai3快wui2會sat1失cyun4傳。

If there is no one to inherit this craft, it will soon be lost.

Common phrases

min6面lam4臨hau6後gai3繼mou4無jan4人

facing a lack of successors

daam1擔sam1心hau6後gai3繼mou4無jan4人

worry about having no one to carry on

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe a simple job vacancy or a lack of staff in a corporate setting. It is reserved for contexts involving long term legacies, family heritage, or unique cultural skills where the absence of a successor implies the end of an era.