sik1 ze2 sang1 cyun4適者生存适者生存
Jyutpingsik1 ze2 sang1 cyun4
Yalesīk jé sāng chyùhn
Definition
Survival of the fittest.
neutralother
How it's used
Often used to describe cutthroat environments like high pressure workplaces or competitive markets. While it originates from evolutionary biology, it is frequently applied metaphorically to human social interactions where only the most adaptable individuals succeed. It carries a somewhat cold or detached tone, implying that those who fail to adapt are naturally weeded out.
Examples
In this industry, survival of the fittest is the law.
Do you really think it's survival of the fittest in the workplace?
Related words
Common phrases
the law of survival of the fittest
cruel survival of the fittest
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistake this for a simple adjective describing a person, but it is a four character idiom that functions as a noun phrase or a statement of fact about a situation. Avoid using it to describe a specific person's personality traits.
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.
