jat1 zuk1 gou1 daa2 jat1 syun4 jan4一竹篙打一船人
Jyutpingjat1 zuk1 gou1 daa2 jat1 syun4 jan4
Yaleyāt jūk gōu dá yāt syùhn yàhn
Definition
To overgeneralise and condemn a whole group of people based on the actions of a few.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the unfairness of collective punishment by using the imagery of a single bamboo pole striking everyone on a boat. It is frequently used in arguments to defend innocent individuals who are being unfairly grouped with someone who committed a mistake. The phrase carries a strong sense of moral indignation against broad, sweeping generalizations.
Examples
Don't paint everyone with the same brush, not everyone is like that.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of a boat trip, but it is strictly used as a metaphor for social or behavioral judgment. Avoid using it to describe physical actions; it is reserved for abstract situations involving blame or character assessment.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
