hou2 tau4 hou2 mei5好頭好尾好头好尾

Jyutpinghou2 tau4 hou2 mei5

Yalehóu tàuh hóu méih

語句

Definition

To have a good beginning and a good ending; to finish what one started in a proper and satisfactory manner.

colloquialdaily actionswork

How it's used

This expression emphasizes the importance of maintaining professional or personal integrity throughout the entire duration of a task or relationship. It is frequently invoked when someone is leaving a job or ending a project, serving as a gentle reminder to avoid burning bridges. The phrase carries a sense of moral obligation to ensure that one's departure is as respectable as their arrival.

Examples

zou6做je5嘢jiu3要jau5有ci2始jau5有zung1終，hou2好tau4頭hou2好mei5尾sin1先dak1得㗎。

You should see things through to the end, it is best to have a good start and finish.

nei5你ci4辭zik1職go2嗰zan6陣gaau1交zip3接cing1清co2楚，hou2好tau4頭hou2好mei5尾mai1咪gei2幾hou2好。

It is nice to have a good start and finish by handing over your work clearly when you resign.

Common phrases

hou2好tau4頭hou2好mei5尾maa3嘛

after all, it is good to have a good start and finish

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of physical objects, but it is strictly used to describe the process or conduct of a person's actions or relationships. It is not used to describe the quality of an object's physical appearance.