jat1 jan4 zou6 si6 jat1 jan4 dong1一人做事一人當一人做事一人当
Jyutpingjat1 jan4 zou6 si6 jat1 jan4 dong1
Yaleyāt yàhn jouh sih yāt yàhn dōng
Definition
A person should take sole responsibility for their own actions and not involve others.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of personal integrity and masculine honor in traditional social contexts. It is frequently used in confrontations or when someone is trying to shield their friends or family from the consequences of their own mistakes. The phrasing emphasizes individual accountability over collective blame.
Examples
I will take responsibility for my own actions, don't drag others into this.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe shared responsibility or teamwork, as it explicitly highlights that the burden belongs to one person alone.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
