ning4 gaau3 jan4 daa2 zai2 mok6 gaau3 jan4 fan1 cai1寧教人打仔，莫教人分妻宁教人打仔，莫教人分妻
Jyutpingning4 gaau3 jan4 daa2 zai2 mok6 gaau3 jan4 fan1 cai1
Yalenìhng gaau yàhn dá jái mohk gaau yàhn fān chāi
Definition
Better to advise someone to beat their own son than to advise them to divorce their wife.
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
This traditional proverb serves as a strong warning against interfering in the domestic affairs of others, particularly marital disputes. It uses extreme imagery to emphasize that while physical discipline of a child is a private family matter, causing a divorce is seen as a much more severe and irreversible social transgression. It is typically invoked when someone is offering unsolicited advice that might lead to a breakup.
Examples
jan4人dei6哋loeng5兩gung1公po2婆naau6鬧gaau1交，nei5你mai1咪lyun6亂gong2講je5嘢，ning4寧gaau3教jan4人daa2打zai2仔，mok6莫gaau3教jan4人fan1分cai1妻aa4呀。
That couple is fighting, so don't talk nonsense; it's better to teach a man to beat his son than to break up his marriage.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not take the literal meaning as an endorsement of domestic violence. The proverb is purely a rhetorical device used to highlight the gravity of breaking up a marriage, not a literal comparison of the two actions.
Grammar color guide
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Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
