kau4 jan4 dak1 jan4求仁得仁
Jyutpingkau4 jan4 dak1 jan4
Yalekàuh yành dāk yành
Definition
A dream come true; wish granted
writtenother
How it's used
Originally a Confucian concept about achieving moral integrity, it is now frequently used with a slightly ironic or resigned tone. It often describes someone who insisted on a specific, sometimes difficult, outcome and finally achieved it, implying they must now accept the consequences of that choice. It carries a sense of finality regarding one's own decisions.
Examples
keoi5 zung1 jyu1 ci4 zik1 heoi3 leoi5 hang4 zan1 hai6 kau4 jan4 dak1 jan4 laa3
佢終於辭職去旅行，真係求仁得仁喇。
He finally quit his job to travel; he really got what he wanted.
nei5 gaan2 zo2 ni1 tiu4 lou6 ji1 gaa1 kau4 jan4 dak1 jan4 zung6 jau5 me1 hou2 jyun3
你揀咗呢條路，依家求仁得仁，仲有咩好怨？
You chose this path and now you've got what you wanted, what else is there to complain about?
Related words
Common phrases
kau4 jan4 dak1 jan4 ge3 git3 gwo2
求仁得仁嘅結果
the outcome of getting what one sought
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a purely positive expression of success, but it is frequently used to point out that someone has brought a situation upon themselves, even if the outcome is unpleasant.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
