sing4 jan4 zi1 mei5成人之美
Definition
To help someone achieve their goal, fulfill a wish, or obtain something nice.
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of moral generosity and altruism, often used when someone steps aside or provides support so that others can succeed in their romantic or personal endeavors. It implies a deliberate choice to prioritize someone else's happiness over one's own potential gain or involvement. It is frequently used in formal or literary contexts, though it is understood and used in daily life to describe acts of kindness or facilitation.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple verb meaning to help, but it specifically implies a sacrifice or a graceful withdrawal to allow someone else's good outcome to happen. It is not used for mundane tasks like helping someone carry a bag or fixing a computer.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
