sin1 ging3 lo4 ji1 hau6 ging3 jan4先敬羅衣後敬人先敬罗衣后敬人
Jyutpingsin1 ging3 lo4 ji1 hau6 ging3 jan4
Yalesīn ging lòh yī hauh ging yàhn
Definition
To judge people by their clothing or appearance; snobbishness.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This proverb highlights the superficial nature of social interactions where appearance dictates respect. It is frequently used as a critique of materialistic attitudes or to warn someone against making snap judgments based on outward presentation. The phrase carries a cynical tone, reflecting a common frustration with how people are treated differently depending on their attire.
Examples
Don't judge people by their clothes, he is actually very wealthy.
Related words
Common phrases
social atmosphere
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal instruction on how to behave, but it is almost exclusively used as a critical observation or a warning to avoid such behavior. It is not a rule to follow, but a description of a social flaw.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
