sat1 seon3失信
Jyutpingsat1 seon3
Yalesāt seun
Definition
To break one's promise; to go back on one's word.
neutralpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Carries a formal and serious tone, often used when someone's reputation or integrity is at stake. Unlike casual phrases like 反口 which focus on the act of changing one's mind, 失信 emphasizes the loss of trust resulting from the broken commitment. It is frequently used in professional or moral contexts rather than in trivial everyday situations.
Examples
Don't go back on your word once you've promised someone.
Related words
Common phrases
bankruptcy of credibility
to lose the trust of others
Common mistake
Learners often use this as a direct translation for any instance of changing a plan, but it is too heavy for minor things like cancelling a coffee date. Use 反口 for casual situations where someone simply changes their mind.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
