jan4 kung4 zi3 bat1 kung4人窮志不窮人穷志不穷
Jyutpingjan4 kung4 zi3 bat1 kung4
Yaleyàhn kùhng ji bāt kùhng
Definition
To be poor but still hold great ambitions.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This phrase is a classic idiom used to praise someone who maintains their dignity and high aspirations despite facing financial hardship. It carries a strong sense of moral integrity and resilience, often used to encourage someone who is currently struggling or to defend someone against prejudice based on their economic status.
Examples
Even though he has no money, he has great ambition despite his poverty, which is very admirable.
Don't look down on him, he has great ambition despite his poverty and will surely succeed in the future.
Related words
Common phrases
poor but ambitious
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
