san1 fu2 wan3 lai4 zi6 zoi6 sik6辛苦搵嚟自在食辛苦揾嚟自在食
Jyutpingsan1 fu2 wan3 lai4 zi6 zoi6 sik6
Yalesān fú wan làih jih joih sihk
Definition
To work hard to earn a living in order to comfortably enjoy good food or a good life.
colloquialworkmoney
How it's used
This phrase serves as a philosophy for work life balance, emphasizing that the purpose of labor is to sustain a comfortable existence rather than to accumulate wealth at the cost of one's well being. It is frequently used to console someone who is overworking or to justify taking a break or spending money on personal enjoyment. The rhythm of the phrase makes it a common proverb in casual conversation.
Examples
Work hard to enjoy your life, do not be so stressed.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
