jin4 ji4 mou4 seon3言而無信言而无信
Jyutpingjin4 ji4 mou4 seon3
Yaleyìhn yìh mòuh seun
Definition
To go back on one's word; to be untrustworthy and fail to keep one's promises.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of moral judgment and disappointment. It is typically used to criticize someone's character rather than just a single instance of forgetting a task. Because it is a formal four-character idiom, using it in casual conversation adds a layer of seriousness or sternness to the speaker's tone.
Examples
He is always breaking his promises, who would believe him?
The most important thing in life is to be trustworthy, don't break your word.
Related words
Common phrases
to be a person who breaks promises
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone forgot something. It is specifically about a breach of trust or a broken promise, so it should not be used for minor, unintentional lapses in memory.
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.
