tung4 jan4 m4 tung4 ming6 tung4 ze1 m4 tung4 beng3同人唔同命，同遮唔同柄
Jyutpingtung4 jan4 m4 tung4 ming6 tung4 ze1 m4 tung4 beng3
Yaletùhng yàhn m̀h tùhng mihng tùhng jē m̀h tùhng beng
Definition
Everyone has a different fate and destiny, just as every umbrella has a different handle.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This proverb is frequently used to console someone who feels jealous of another person's success or to explain why life seems unfair. It highlights the inherent inequality in life experiences, suggesting that even when people start in similar positions, their outcomes often diverge. The imagery of umbrellas emphasizes that while the basic function remains the same, the quality or design of the handle varies, just as individual lives do.
Examples
Everyone has a different fate, so don't be so obsessed with it.
He is so lucky, it really shows that everyone has a different destiny.
Related words
Common phrases
people have different destinies
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to dismiss someone's hard work, as it can sound fatalistic or insensitive if used to explain away someone's genuine achievements.
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.
