jat1 gai1 sei2 jat1 gai1 ming4一雞死一雞鳴一鸡死一鸡鸣
Jyutpingjat1 gai1 sei2 jat1 gai1 ming4
Yaleyāt gāi séi yāt gāi mìhng
Definition
When one thing disappears, something similar will naturally rise to replace it.
colloquialother
How it's used
Reflects a pragmatic and resilient attitude toward change, often used to comfort someone who has lost a job or seen a business close. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of opportunities rather than mourning a specific loss. The imagery of chickens is deeply rooted in traditional agrarian life where the loss of one bird in a flock was quickly balanced by the activity of another.
Examples
This shop closed down, but it doesn't matter, someone else will surely take its place.
Why are you worried about not having work? There will always be another opportunity.
Related words
Common phrases
when one door closes, another opens
Common mistake
Avoid using this in situations involving the death of a person or a deeply personal tragedy, as the comparison to chickens makes it sound callous and insensitive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
