tai2 jan4 hau2 min6睇人口面
Jyutpingtai2 jan4 hau2 min6
Yaletái yàhn háu mihn
Definition
To have to act according to others' whims, put up with their ways, or live on their favor.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Focuses on the emotional burden of suppressing one's own preferences to avoid conflict or maintain harmony in a subordinate position. It implies a sense of helplessness or resentment, as the speaker is forced to monitor the facial expressions and moods of someone with more power or control. It is frequently used when discussing workplace dynamics or living arrangements where one is not the primary authority.
Examples
Living in someone else's house, you naturally have to watch how they feel.
I don't want to work while having to cater to others' moods anymore, maybe I'll start my own business.
Related words
Common phrases
always having to watch others' moods
not having to cater to others' moods
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply observing someone's expression. It specifically implies a power imbalance where the observer is forced to adjust their own behavior to please the other person.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
