san1 zoi6 fuk1 zung1 bat1 zi1 fuk1身在福中不知福
Jyutpingsan1 zoi6 fuk1 zung1 bat1 zi1 fuk1
Yalesān joih fūk jūng bāt jī fūk
Definition
To fail to appreciate how fortunate or happy one's life actually is.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of reproach or frustration toward someone who is oblivious to their own privilege. It is frequently used when someone complains about minor inconveniences while ignoring the fact that their basic needs or safety are well-provided for. Unlike simple descriptions of being ungrateful, this phrase specifically highlights the irony of being surrounded by comfort yet failing to perceive it.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
