jat1 mat6 zi6 jat1 mat6 ，no6 mai5 zi6 muk6 sat1一物治一物，糯米治木蝨一物治一物，糯米治木虱
Jyutpingjat1 mat6 zi6 jat1 mat6 ，no6 mai5 zi6 muk6 sat1
Yaleyāt maht jih yāt maht ，noh máih jih muhk sāt
Definition
Everything has its vanquisher; every person or thing has something that dominates, restrains, or overcomes it.
colloquialother
How it's used
This proverb is frequently used to comfort someone who feels intimidated by a difficult person or situation. It serves as a reminder that no one is truly invincible and that a solution or a counterforce always exists. The imagery of糯米治木蝨 is a traditional folk belief, adding a touch of local cultural flavor to the philosophical sentiment.
Examples
Don't be afraid of him; everything has its match.
keoi5佢ping4平si4時gam3咁wu3惡，dim2點zi1知jat1一mat6物zi6治jat1一mat6物，no6糯mai5米zi6治muk6木sat1蝨，bei3畀go3個sai3細lou6路gaau2搞dim6掂zo2咗。
He is usually so fierce, but as the saying goes, everyone has a match, and a child managed to handle him.
Related words
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.
