mou4 seoi6 zi6 zin3毛遂自薦毛遂自荐
Jyutpingmou4 seoi6 zi6 zin3
Yalemòuh seuih jih jin
Definition
To recommend oneself for a task or position; to volunteer.
neutralworkpeople
How it's used
This idiom originates from a historical story about a man named Mao Sui who offered his services to his lord. It carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in daily life to describe someone stepping up to take initiative. It is most appropriate when you are actively putting yourself forward for a role or task that others might be hesitant to accept.
Examples
Since no one is willing to do it, I will volunteer myself.
Do you need to volunteer yourself to help organize the event?
Related words
Common phrases
volunteer to do something
volunteer to take on a role
Common mistake
Avoid using this in overly casual or trivial situations, as the idiom implies a degree of seriousness or professional responsibility. It is not meant for simple daily favors like offering to wash the dishes.
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.
