jan4 zi1 zoeng1 sei2 ，kei4 jin4 jaa5 sin6人之將死，其言也善人之将死，其言也善
Definition
When a person is about to die, their words are sincere and well-meaning.
How it's used
This classical idiom is frequently used in modern Cantonese to describe a sudden change in attitude or sincerity from someone who is nearing the end of their life or, metaphorically, someone who has reached a point of no return. It carries a sense of gravity and reflection, often used to justify forgiving past grievances. While it originates from Confucian texts, it remains a standard way to comment on the final, honest revelations of a person.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a casual observation about someone being nice, but it is specifically reserved for end-of-life contexts or final, irreversible moments. Using it to describe someone who is simply having a good day will sound bizarrely morbid.
Grammar color guide
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.
