sik1 si6 ning4 jan4息事寧人息事宁人

Jyutpingsik1 si6 ning4 jan4

Yalesīk sih nìhng yàhn

動詞

Definition

To make concessions or compromise to avoid trouble and keep the peace.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

Carries a slightly negative connotation in modern usage, often implying a lack of backbone or a tendency to sacrifice one's own rights to maintain superficial harmony. It is frequently used to describe a situation where someone chooses to swallow their pride rather than fight for what is fair. While it sounds formal due to its four character structure, it is commonly used in everyday speech to criticize passive behavior.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋cou4嘈dak1得hou2好sai1犀lei6利，ngo5我wai6為zo2咗sik1息si6事ning4寧jan4人，wai4唯jau5有zau2走zo2咗heoi3去。

They were arguing so fiercely that I just left to avoid any trouble.

nei5你ci3次ci3次dou1都sik1息si6事ning4寧jan4人，deoi3對fong1方zi2只wui5會gok3覺dak1得nei5你hou2好haa1蝦。

If you always make concessions to avoid trouble, the other party will just think you are easy to bully.

Common phrases

wai6為zo2咗sik1息si6事ning4寧jan4人

for the sake of peace

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a positive trait like being peaceful, but it is usually used to describe someone who is overly submissive or avoids conflict at the expense of justice.