sin1 siu2 jan4 hau6 gwan1 zi2先小人,後君子先小人,后君子
Jyutpingsin1 siu2 jan4 hau6 gwan1 zi2
Yalesīn síu yàhn hauh gwān jí
Definition
To lay down harsh terms or discuss practicalities first, before appealing to friendship or good relations.
colloquialworkmoney
How it's used
This idiom is a pragmatic approach to business or collaborative relationships, emphasizing that setting firm boundaries or conditions early prevents future conflicts. It frames the act of being 'petty' or 'demanding' at the start as a necessary step to ensure long-term harmony and mutual respect. It is frequently invoked when discussing money, legal terms, or division of labor between friends or family members.
Common mistake
Do not mistake the literal meaning of 小人 for a moral judgment; in this context, it refers to being meticulous about details rather than being a villainous person.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
