nei5 ging3 ngo5 jat1 cek3, ngo5 ging3 nei5 jat1 zoeng6你敬我一尺，我敬你一丈

Jyutpingnei5 ging3 ngo5 jat1 cek3, ngo5 ging3 nei5 jat1 zoeng6

Yalenéih ging ngóh yāt chek3, ngóh ging néih yāt jeuhng

Definition

To return any kindness or respect received with even greater generosity in return.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom functions as a moral principle for social interaction rather than a literal description of exchange. It emphasizes the importance of generosity and social reciprocity in maintaining healthy relationships. People often use it to justify going above and beyond for someone who has shown them initial kindness or respect.

Examples

zou6做jan4人jiu3要sik1識dak1得nei5你ging3敬ngo5我jat1一cek3尺，ngo5我ging3敬nei5你jat1一zoeng6丈。

In life, you need to know that if someone treats you well, you should reciprocate even more.

keoi5佢deoi3對ngo5我gam3咁hou2好，ngo5我dong1當jin4然jiu3要nei5你ging3敬ngo5我jat1一cek3尺，ngo5我ging3敬nei5你jat1一zoeng6丈laa1啦。

He treats me so well, so of course I should return the favor with even greater respect.

Common phrases

zou6做jan4人jiu3要sik1識dak1得

one needs to know how to conduct oneself

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to describe simple commercial transactions or equal exchanges, as it specifically refers to the moral weight of interpersonal respect and favors.