tai2 sung3 sik6 faan6, tai2 zuk1 naam4 mo4睇餸食飯，睇燭喃嘸睇餸食饭，睇烛喃呒

Jyutpingtai2 sung3 sik6 faan6, tai2 zuk1 naam4 mo4

Yaletái sung sihk faan6, tái jūk nàahm mòh

Definition

To act according to actual circumstances; to budget and live within one's means.

colloquialmoneydaily actions

How it's used

This idiom is a vivid way of describing the necessity of adjusting one's actions to fit available resources. While the first half is a common standalone phrase, adding the second half emphasizes the pragmatic, almost ritualistic nature of assessing one's situation before proceeding. It carries a tone of prudent caution and is often used when advising someone to be realistic about their financial or social limitations.

Examples

ngo5我dei6哋jan4人gung1工m4唔gou1高，wai4唯jau5有tai2睇sung3餸sik6食faan6飯，tai2睇zuk1燭naam4喃fu2嘸laa1啦。

Our salaries aren't high, so we have to live within our means.

nei5你sai2使cin2錢jiu1要tai2睇sung3餸sik6食faan6飯，tai2睇zuk1燭naam4喃fu2嘸，m4唔hou2好lyun6亂gam3咁maai5買je5嘢。

You need to spend according to your budget and not buy things recklessly.

Common phrases

tai2睇sung3餸sik6食faan6飯

to live within one's means

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal instruction about dining etiquette or religious ceremonies, but it is strictly a metaphor for resource management. Do not use it to describe actual cooking or prayer activities.