on1 fan6 sau2 gei2安分守己
Jyutpingon1 fan6 sau2 gei2
Yaleōn fahn sáu géi
Definition
To know one's place, abide by the law, and stay within one's bounds.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used to describe someone who is reliable, steady, and avoids risky or unconventional behavior. It carries a slightly conservative tone, implying that one should accept their current role or status without trying to overreach. While it can be a compliment for a diligent worker, it is sometimes used sarcastically to criticize someone for being too timid or lacking ambition.
Examples
He is a very well-behaved person who never causes any trouble.
Can you try to be a bit more sensible and stick to your own business?
Related words
Common phrases
to live an honest and steady life
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
