naam4 neoi5 sau6 sau6 bat1 can1男女授受不親男女授受不亲
Jyutpingnaam4 neoi5 sau6 sau6 bat1 can1
Yalenàahm néuih sauh sauh bāt chān
Definition
The traditional Chinese belief that men and women who are not relatives or spouses should not have close physical contact.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This phrase is a classic Confucian idiom that carries a heavy, old-fashioned tone. It is almost exclusively used today in a sarcastic or humorous way to tease someone who is being overly conservative, shy, or physically distant. Using it seriously in a modern context would sound extremely archaic or pretentious.
Examples
Men and women should keep their distance, don't touch her hand.
Related words
Common phrases
to talk about men and women keeping their distance
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal rule that still governs social interaction in Hong Kong. It is actually a cultural relic that is now mostly invoked for comedic effect or to point out someone's awkwardness in social settings.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
