jat6 fong4 je6 fong4 gaa1 caak6 naan4 fong4日防夜防，家賊難防日防夜防，家贼难防
Jyutpingjat6 fong4 je6 fong4 gaa1 caak6 naan4 fong4
Yaleyaht fòhng yeh fòhng gā chaahk nàahn fòhng
Definition
It is difficult to defend against a dishonest or treacherous insider.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This proverb highlights the irony that the people closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most because they have our trust. It is frequently applied in business settings when an employee steals from their employer or leaks confidential information. The phrase carries a tone of resignation or betrayal rather than simple caution.
Examples
It is hard to guard against an insider; who would have guessed that he was the one who took the money?
There was an insider incident at the company; it really goes to show that it is hard to guard against those close to you.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general warning about burglars, but it specifically refers to betrayal by someone within your own circle or organization. Do not use it for external threats like random pickpockets or burglars who have no connection to the victim.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
