siu2 cing4 daai6 gaai3小懲大誡小惩大诫

Jyutpingsiu2 cing4 daai6 gaai3

Yalesíu chìhng daaih gaai

語句

Definition

To punish slightly as a warning to prevent larger future mistakes.

neutralworkpeople

How it's used

This idiom describes a situation where a minor penalty is imposed to serve as a wake up call. It implies that the person in charge is acting out of care or a desire to correct behavior rather than pure malice. It is frequently used in professional or disciplinary contexts where a manager or parent wants to prevent a repeat of a mistake without resorting to extreme measures.

Examples

gam1今ci3次siu2小cing4懲daai6大gaai3誡，hei1希mong6望nei5你haa6下ci3次m4唔hou2好zoi3再faan2犯。

This is a small punishment to warn you, I hope you won't repeat the mistake next time.

keoi5佢dei6哋gam3咁zou6做zi2只hai6係soeng2想siu2小cing4懲daai6大gaai3誡，m4唔hai6係zan1真hai6係soeng2想caau2炒nei5你。

They only did this to teach you a lesson, they don't really want to fire you.

Common phrases

zi2只hai6係siu2小cing4懲daai6大gaai3誡

just a small warning to prevent future mistakes

zik6藉ci2此siu2小cing4懲daai6大gaai3誡

use this as a way to teach a lesson

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe a punishment that is intended to be purely retributive or harsh. It specifically requires the intent of prevention and correction, so it would be inappropriate to use when someone is being severely punished for a major crime.