hin3 cau2 bat1 jyu4 cong4 zyut3獻醜不如藏拙献丑不如藏拙

Jyutpinghin3 cau2 bat1 jyu4 cong4 zyut3

Yalehin cháu bāt yùh chòhng jyut

Definition

It is better to hide one's weaknesses or shortcomings than to show them off and make a fool of oneself.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom is a humble way to decline an invitation to perform or show off a skill. It carries a strong sense of self-deprecation and is used to manage expectations before someone sees your work. It is often used as a polite excuse when you feel your ability is not up to the standard of the occasion.

Examples

ngo5我waak6畫waa2畫hou2好zaa2渣，hin3獻cau2醜bat1不jyu4如cong4藏zyut6拙laa1啦。

My drawing is terrible, I'd better keep it to myself than show it off.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使hin3獻cau2醜bat1不jyu4如cong4藏zyut6拙，m4唔hou2好soeng5上toi4台biu2表jin2演？

Do you think you should just stay off the stage to avoid embarrassing yourself?

Common phrases

hin3獻cau2醜

to show one's poor work

cong4藏zyut3拙

to hide one's clumsiness

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal piece of advice to hide one's talents, but it is almost exclusively used as a modest, self-effacing remark about one's own lack of skill.