hek3 dak1 fu2 zung1 fu2 ，fong1 wai4 jan4 soeng6 jan4吃得苦中苦，方為人上人吃得苦中苦，方为人上人
Jyutpinghek3 dak1 fu2 zung1 fu2 ，fong1 wai4 jan4 soeng6 jan4
Yalehek dāk fú jūng fú ，fōng wàih yàhn seuhng yàhn
Definition
No pain, no gain; only by enduring the hardest of hardships can one rise above others and succeed.
colloquialother
How it's used
This is a classical idiom used to encourage perseverance through significant adversity. While it sounds formal, it is frequently quoted in casual conversation to offer life advice or to justify working hard during difficult times. It carries a heavy, traditional weight that implies success is only reserved for those who have suffered more than others.
Examples
Kids need to learn that no pain, no gain.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this as a casual comment on minor inconveniences, as it sounds overly dramatic and preachy. It is specifically reserved for major life challenges or long-term career struggles.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
