sat1 baai6 naai5 sing4 gung1 zi1 mou5失敗乃成功之母失败乃成功之母
Jyutpingsat1 baai6 naai5 sing4 gung1 zi1 mou5
Yalesāt baaih náaih sìhng gūng jī móuh
Definition
Failure is the mother of success; an encouraging proverb advising one not to fear or be discouraged by failure, but to learn from it.
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How it's used
This is a classical idiom often used as a comforting proverb to encourage someone who has just encountered a setback. While the structure is formal and literary, it is frequently quoted in spoken Cantonese to provide perspective during difficult times. It shifts the focus from the pain of the current failure to the potential for future growth.
Examples
Failure is the mother of success, don't give up so quickly.
He always says failure is the mother of success, so he is very optimistic.
Related words
Common phrases
learn from the experience of failure
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.
