mat6 ci5 zyu2 jan4 jing4物似主人形

Jyutpingmat6 ci5 zyu2 jan4 jing4

Yalemaht chíh jyú yàhn yìhng

Definition

A proverb meaning that something is similar to its owner or master, such as a pet reflecting its owner's personality.

colloquialanimalspeople

How it's used

This proverb is almost exclusively used to describe pets that share behavioral traits or personality quirks with their owners. It carries a humorous or teasing tone rather than a serious or philosophical one. While it can technically apply to other possessions, using it for anything other than pets or perhaps children often sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic.

Examples

zek3隻gau2狗gam3咁laan2懶，zan1真hai6係mat6物ci5似zyu2主jan4人jing4形。

The dog is so lazy, it really is like its master.

keoi5佢joeng5養go2嗰zek3隻maau1貓gam3咁jai5曳，hai6係mai6咪mat6物ci5似zyu2主jan4人jing4形aa4呀？

The cat he keeps is so naughty, is it a case of like master like pet?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係mat6物ci5似zyu2主jan4人jing4形

really is like master like pet

gwo2果jin4然mat6物ci5似zyu2主jan4人jing4形

as expected, like master like pet

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe physical resemblance between people, as it specifically implies a master and subordinate relationship. It is also not typically used to describe inanimate objects like furniture or clothes.