sin1 gin3 zi1 ming4先見之明先见之明

Jyutpingsin1 gin3 zi1 ming4

Yalesīn gin jī mìhng

名詞

Definition

Foresight; the ability to predict consequences or see how things will develop in advance.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a sense of admiration for someone's clever planning or intuitive judgment. It is frequently used to praise a decision that prevented a future problem or secured an advantage. While it sounds slightly formal due to its four character structure, it is perfectly acceptable in casual conversation when someone wants to highlight a smart move.

Examples

hou2好coi2彩nei5你jau5有sin1先gin3見zi1之ming4明，daai3帶ding6定ze1遮ceot1出mun4門hau2口。

Luckily you had the foresight to bring an umbrella out.

keoi5佢jau5有sin1先gin3見zi1之ming4明，jat1一zou2早maai6賣zo2咗di1啲gu2股piu3票。

He had the foresight to sell those stocks early.

Common phrases

gik6極geoi6具sin1先gin3見zi1之ming4明

possessing great foresight

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simple planning or preparation. It specifically implies an intellectual or intuitive ability to see how things will unfold before they happen, rather than just being organized.