jat1 dung6 bat1 jyu4 jat1 zing6一動不如一靜一动不如一静
Jyutpingjat1 dung6 bat1 jyu4 jat1 zing6
Yaleyāt duhng bāt yùh yāt jihng
Definition
Staying still is better than making a move; advice against taking actions that are risky or of little value.
colloquialother
How it's used
This idiom serves as a piece of advice to maintain the status quo when the outcome of a potential action is uncertain or risky. It is frequently applied in contexts like financial investments, career changes, or navigating interpersonal conflicts where impulsive decisions might lead to unnecessary trouble. The phrase emphasizes the wisdom of patience and observation over taking premature action.
Examples
The market is so chaotic right now, it is better to stay put than to act.
Do you think it is safest to stay put rather than act at this moment?
Related words
Common phrases
to feel that it is better to stay put
to choose to stay put
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal command to never move, but it is specifically a strategic observation about the risks of change. It is not used for physical movement, such as telling someone to sit still in a chair.
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.
