mou5 gam3 daai6 go3 tau4 zau6 m4 hou2 daai3 gam3 daai6 deng2 mou6冇咁大個頭就唔好帶咁大頂帽冇咁大个头就唔好带咁大顶帽

Jyutpingmou5 gam3 daai6 go3 tau4 zau6 m4 hou2 daai3 gam3 daai6 deng2 mou6

Yalemóuh gam daaih go tàuh jauh m̀h hóu daai gam daaih déng mouh

Definition

Don't bite off more than you can chew; do not take on responsibilities beyond your capabilities or budget.

colloquialmoneypeople

How it's used

This proverb serves as a stern warning against vanity and overreaching. It is frequently used when someone tries to maintain a lifestyle or take on responsibilities that clearly exceed their financial or personal capacity. The imagery of a hat being too large for one's head highlights the absurdity of pretending to be more capable or wealthy than one actually is.

Examples

nei5你mou5冇gam3咁daai6大go3個tau4頭zau6就m4唔hou2好daai2帶gam3咁daai3大ding2頂mou6帽laa1啦。

Don't bite off more than you can chew if you can't afford it.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日lyun6亂sai2使cin2錢，zan1真hai6係mou5冇gam3咁daai6大go3個tau4頭zau6就m4唔hou2好daai2帶gam3咁daai3大ding2頂mou6帽。

He spends money recklessly; he really should not live beyond his means.

Common phrases

lyun6亂sai2使cin2錢

to spend money recklessly

Common mistake

Learners often try to shorten this phrase, but it is almost always used in its entirety as a fixed expression. It is considered quite blunt and critical, so avoid using it when offering gentle advice to a friend.