hou2 zai2 m4 dong1 caai1好仔唔當差好仔唔当差

Jyutpinghou2 zai2 m4 dong1 caai1

Yalehóu jái m̀h dōng chāai

Definition

A traditional saying that good men do not join the police force, historically reflecting the perception of corruption.

colloquialpeoplework

How it's used

This is a traditional proverb reflecting historical distrust of the police force during the colonial era. It carries a strong cultural weight, implying that police work was associated with corruption or moral compromise. While the police force has modernized significantly, the phrase remains a common cultural reference point for older generations.

Examples

ji5以cin4前di1啲lou5老jan4人gaa1家sing4成jat6日waa6話hou2好zai2仔m4唔dong1當caai1差。

Old people used to always say that a good son shouldn't be a policeman.

nei5你zan1真hai6係soeng2想zou6做ging2警caat3察？m4唔gei3記dak1得zo2咗hou2好zai2仔m4唔dong1當caai1差me1咩？

Do you really want to be a policeman? Have you forgotten that a good guy wouldn't be a policeman?

Common phrases

hou2好zai2仔m4唔dong1當caai1差，hou2好neoi5女m4唔dong1當bing1兵

A good son shouldn't be a policeman, a good daughter shouldn't be a soldier.

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase in front of police officers or in professional settings, as it is highly offensive and implies that the person is corrupt or morally inferior.