sei3 ping4 baat3 wan2四平八穩四平八稳

Jyutpingsei3 ping4 baat3 wan2

Yalesei pìhng baat wán

形容詞

Definition

Very steady, stable, and well-balanced; also used to describe someone overcautious and lacking initiative.

very steady, stable, or well-balanced
figurativeovercautious, safe, and lacking in initiative

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

While often used to describe physical stability, this idiom frequently carries a nuanced critique in professional settings. It suggests a person or plan is so cautious that it lacks creativity, innovation, or risk-taking. Using it to describe a colleague can imply they are dependable but perhaps unadventurous or overly conservative.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢sei3四ping4平baat3八wan2穩，hou2好siu2少ceot1出co3錯。

He works in a very steady and reliable way, rarely making mistakes.

le1呢zoeng1張toi4枱sei3四ping4平baat3八wan2穩，m4唔wui2會jiu4搖㗎。

This table is very steady and won't wobble.

Common phrases

zou6做si6事sei3四ping4平baat3八wan2穩

to work in a steady and cautious manner

sing3性gaak3格sei3四ping4平baat3八wan2穩

to have a steady and predictable personality

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being safe or secure. Using it to describe a person's character often carries a slightly negative connotation of being boring or stagnant, rather than just being careful.