jau5 ji3 zoi1 faa1 faa1 bat1 faat3 mou4 sam1 caap3 lau5 lau5 sing4 jam3有意栽花花不發，無心插柳柳成蔭有意栽花花不发，无心插柳柳成荫
Jyutpingjau5 ji3 zoi1 faa1 faa1 bat1 faat3 mou4 sam1 caap3 lau5 lau5 sing4 jam3
Yaleyáuh yi jōi fā fā bāt faat mòuh sām chaap láuh láuh sìhng yam
Definition
Things do not always turn out as expected, often succeeding where least expected while failing despite effort.
colloquialother
How it's used
This proverb is frequently used to comfort someone who failed at a goal they worked hard for, or to describe a situation where an accidental success occurred. It highlights the irony of life where deliberate efforts often fail while unintentional actions lead to fruitful results. It carries a philosophical tone and is often used to encourage a more relaxed attitude toward life's unpredictability.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to do something unintentionally that leads to a good result
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
