sik6 dak1 haam4 jyu4 zau6 jiu3 dai2 dak1 hot3食得鹹魚就要抵得渴食得咸鱼就要抵得渴
Jyutpingsik6 dak1 haam4 jyu4 zau6 jiu3 dai2 dak1 hot3
Yalesihk dāk hàahm yùh jauh yiu dái dāk hot
Definition
If you choose to do something, you must be prepared to accept the consequences and responsibilities that come with it.
colloquialother
How it's used
This proverb is a quintessential piece of Cantonese wisdom used to remind someone that they must accept the negative repercussions of their own voluntary choices. It is frequently invoked when someone complains about the inevitable downsides of a situation they entered into willingly. The imagery of eating salty fish and then needing to endure the subsequent thirst serves as a direct metaphor for cause and effect.
Examples
Since you chose this job, you have to accept the consequences.
gei3既jin4然kyut3決ding6定zo2咗jiu3要mou6冒him2險，zau6就jiu3要gei3記zyu6住sik6食dak1得haam4鹹jyu2魚zau6就jiu3要dai2抵dak1得hot3渴。
Since you decided to take the risk, remember that you must be prepared for the outcome.
Related words
Common phrases
to have the guts to take the action
to be able to endure the consequences
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
