jap6 uk1 giu3 jan4, jap6 miu6 baai3 san4入屋叫人，入廟拜神入屋叫人，入庙拜神
Jyutpingjap6 uk1 giu3 jan4, jap6 miu6 baai3 san4
Yaleyahp ūk giu yan4, yahp miuh baai sàhn
Definition
To follow local customs and behave appropriately in a new place; when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This proverb serves as a social guideline for maintaining harmony in unfamiliar environments. It emphasizes the importance of observing local etiquette and social norms rather than imposing one's own habits. While it literally references homes and temples, it is frequently applied to workplace culture, family gatherings, or visiting foreign countries.
Examples
jap6入uk1屋giu3叫jan4人，jap6入miu6廟baai3拜san4神，nei5你dou1都jiu3要hok6學sik1識zyun1尊zung6重jan4人dei6哋kwai1規geoi2矩。
When in Rome, do as the Romans do; you need to learn to respect other people's rules.
heoi3去dou3到san1新gung1公si1司，jap6入uk1屋giu3叫jan4人，jap6入miu6廟baai3拜san4神，m4唔hou2好gam3咁faai3快zau6就soeng2想goi2改zai3制dou6度。
When you join a new company, adapt to the local customs; don't try to change the system too quickly.
Common phrases
to greet people when entering a home
to pay respects to the gods when entering a temple
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.
