m4 tai2 zang1 min6 dou1 tai2 fat6 min6唔睇僧面都睇佛面

Jyutpingm4 tai2 zang1 min6 dou1 tai2 fat6 min6

Yalem̀h tái jāng mihn dōu tái faht mihn

語句

Definition

To show someone leniency or respect, not for their own sake, but out of respect for their supporter or backer.

colloquialpeopleemotion

How it's used

This idiom is a classic way to appeal to someone's sense of social obligation or hierarchy when they are angry. It functions as a diplomatic intervention, suggesting that even if a personal grudge is justified, the target's connections or the broader context deserve respect. It is most effective when trying to de-escalate a conflict by shifting the focus from the individual to their wider network.

Examples

m4唔tai2睇zang1僧min6面dou1都tai2睇fat6佛min6面，nei5你bei3畀ci3次gei1機wui6會keoi5佢laa1啦。

Give him another chance, if not for his sake, then for the sake of those who support him.

nei5你m4唔tai2睇zang1僧min6面dou1都tai2睇fat6佛min6面，m4唔hou2好hai2喺ni1呢dou6度cou4嘈laa1啦。

For the sake of everyone else here, please stop making a scene.

Common phrases

m4唔tai2睇zang1僧min6面tai2睇fat6佛min6面

a slightly more concise version of the same idiom

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a religious statement, but it is purely secular and social. It is also quite formal and heavy, so using it in a trivial situation can sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.