hou2 jan4 naan4 zou6好人難做好人难做
Jyutpinghou2 jan4 naan4 zou6
Yalehóu yàhn nàahn jouh
Definition
It is hard to be a good person, especially when one's kindness is misunderstood or unappreciated.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This expression is used when someone experiences negative consequences or ingratitude after attempting to perform a kind act. It serves as a cynical reflection on the social reality that altruism often leads to trouble rather than appreciation. People frequently use it to vent frustration after being taken advantage of or misunderstood.
Examples
I helped them and still got scolded; it really is hard to be a good person.
Common phrases
it really is hard to be a good person
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply a good person. It specifically refers to the difficulty or thanklessness of the act of being kind, not the character trait of being a good person.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
