sing4 jan4 zi1 ngai4乘人之危

Jyutpingsing4 jan4 zi1 ngai4

Yalesìhng yàhn jī ngàih

動詞

Definition

To take advantage of someone's precarious position or urgent needs for personal gain.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong negative moral judgment, describing someone who is opportunistic in a predatory way. It is typically used to criticize behavior that exploits someone during their most vulnerable moments, such as during a financial crisis or a personal tragedy. While it is a four-character idiom, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to condemn unethical business practices or interpersonal betrayal.

Examples

keoi5佢gin3見jan4人jau5有naan4難zau6就sing4乘jan4人zi1之ngai4危，zan1真hai6係hou2好mou2冇ban2品。

He takes advantage of people when they are in trouble, he has no class at all.

nei5你m4唔hou2好sing4乘jan4人zi1之ngai4危，bik1逼keoi5佢cim1簽le1呢fan2份m4唔gung1公ping4平ge3嘅hap6合joek3約。

Don't take advantage of his situation to force him to sign this unfair contract.

Common phrases

bei1卑pei2鄙ge3嘅sing4乘jan4人zi1之ngai4危

despicable exploitation of someone's misfortune

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for simply being opportunistic, but it specifically implies exploiting a victim's misfortune or danger. It is not used for neutral situations like taking advantage of a good deal or a lucky break.