mou4 si6 hin3 jan1 hyun3 fei1 gaan1 zik1 dou6無事獻殷勸非奸即盜无事献殷劝非奸即盗
Jyutpingmou4 si6 hin3 jan1 hyun3 fei1 gaan1 zik1 dou6
Yalemòuh sih hin yān hyun fēi gāan jīk douh
Definition
One who is unaccountably solicitous is hiding evil intentions.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom serves as a cynical warning against unsolicited kindness or flattery. It is frequently shortened to just 無事獻殷勤 in casual conversation, as the second half is so well-known that the listener will immediately grasp the implication. Use it when you suspect someone has a hidden agenda or is trying to manipulate you through charm.
Related words
Common phrases
to show uncalled-for solicitude
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase in a professional or formal setting, as it is inherently suspicious and accusatory. It is strictly for informal contexts where you are venting your skepticism about someone's motives to a friend or family member.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
