pou5 caan4 sau2 kyut3抱殘守缺抱残守缺
Jyutpingpou5 caan4 sau2 kyut3
Yalepóuh chàahn sáu kyut
Definition
To cling to outmoded traditions and ideas, refusing to adapt or change.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong critical tone, implying that someone is stubbornly clinging to outdated methods or ideas at the expense of progress. It is frequently used in professional or social contexts to describe people who resist necessary change or innovation. Unlike simply being traditional, this term suggests a lack of flexibility that is actively hindering improvement.
Examples
He is always stuck in his old ways, how can he accept new technology?
Don't be conservative when doing business; you have to know how to adapt.
Related words
Common phrases
to have a conservative mindset
a conservative attitude
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to describe someone who values tradition, but it is almost always used to criticize someone for being narrow-minded or unwilling to modernize.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
