jan4 syun3 bat1 jyu4 tin1 syun3人算不如天算
Jyutpingjan4 syun3 bat1 jyu4 tin1 syun3
Yaleyàhn syun bāt yùh tīn syun
Definition
Man proposes, God disposes; no matter how carefully you plan, things may not go as expected.
colloquialother
How it's used
This phrase is often used to console someone or express resignation when a carefully laid plan falls apart due to external circumstances. It carries a fatalistic tone, suggesting that human effort is ultimately limited by fate or luck. It is frequently invoked when unexpected events like bad weather or sudden illness derail an important project.
Examples
bun2本loi4來nam2諗zyu6住heoi3去leoi5旅hang4行，dim2點zi1知beng6病zo2咗，zan1真hai6係jan4人syun3算bat1不jyu4如tin1天syun3算。
I planned to go on a trip, but I got sick; man proposes, God disposes.
You think everything is arranged? Man proposes, God disposes.
Related words
Common phrases
it really is true that man proposes, God disposes
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
