soeng1 gin3 hou2 tung4 zyu6 naan4相見好，同住難相见好，同住难
Definition
It is easy to get along when meeting up, but difficult to live together without conflict.
How it's used
This proverb highlights the reality that social interactions are often pleasant because they are brief and superficial, but shared living spaces expose personality clashes and habits that are otherwise hidden. It is frequently used as a piece of advice for friends or couples considering moving in together to warn them about the potential for conflict. The phrase is a fixed expression and is rarely altered in daily speech.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a literal description of a specific person, but it is a general observation about human relationships. It should not be used to describe a single person's behavior, but rather the dynamic between two or more people living under the same roof.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
