teoi3 ji4 kau4 kei4 ci3退而求其次
Jyutpingteoi3 ji4 kau4 kei4 ci3
Yaleteui yìh kàuh kèih chi
Definition
To settle for the next best thing when the ideal option is unavailable.
neutraldaily actions
How it's used
This idiom describes a pragmatic compromise made when the ideal choice is unattainable. It carries a sense of resignation or rational adjustment rather than simple failure. It is frequently preceded by the word 唯有 to emphasize that there is no other viable path forward.
Examples
The restaurant is full, so we have to settle for the next best option and eat fast food.
You can't buy the car you wanted, are you planning to settle for the next best thing?
Related words
Common phrases
have no choice but to settle for the next best thing
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
