sau6 zi1 jau5 kwai5受之有愧

Jyutpingsau6 zi1 jau5 kwai5

Yalesauh jī yáuh kwáih

Definition

To feel unworthy of receiving an honor, gift, or compliment.

writtenemotionpeople

How it's used

This is a formal idiom used to express modesty when receiving praise, gifts, or awards. It functions as a polite way to deflect credit or acknowledge that the gesture exceeds one's own merit. Because it is a four-character idiom, it carries a literary weight that contrasts with the casual, spoken nature of everyday Cantonese.

Examples

nei5你sung3送gam3咁gwai3貴ge3嘅lai5禮mat6物bei2畀ngo5我，zan1真hai6係sau6受zi1之jau5有kwai5愧aa4呀。

You gave me such an expensive gift, I really feel unworthy of it.

ni1呢go3個zoeng2獎hong6項ngo5我sau6受zi1之jau5有kwai5愧，zung6仲jau5有hou2好do1多jan4人lek1叻gwo3過ngo5我。

I feel unworthy of this award, there are many people better than me.

Common phrases

sau6受zi1之jau5有kwai5愧

to feel unworthy of receiving

Common mistake

Learners often use this in casual settings where a simple thank you or a humbler phrase like 唔敢當 would be more natural. It is best reserved for formal situations or when someone offers a significant favor or compliment.