mat6 hing1 cing4 ji6 zung6物輕情義重物轻情义重
Jyutpingmat6 hing1 cing4 ji6 zung6
Yalemaht hīng chìhng yih juhng
Definition
The gift is small, but the goodwill is deep; it's the thought that counts.
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom is used to express gratitude when receiving a modest gift from someone who clearly cares about you. It emphasizes that the emotional value of the gesture far outweighs the monetary cost of the item. People often use it to politely deflect embarrassment if they feel their gift is too simple or inexpensive.
Examples
This gift is cheap, but it's the thought that counts.
Related words
Common phrases
the thought is what matters most
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
