wai4 lei6 si6 tou4唯利是圖唯利是图

Jyutpingwai4 lei6 si6 tou4

Yalewàih leih sih tòuh

形容詞

Definition

Seeking only profit; caring about nothing but material gain.

colloquialpeoplework

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, implying that someone is selfish and lacks moral principles. It is typically used to criticize businesses or individuals who sacrifice ethics or quality just to make more money. While it is a four-character idiom, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to describe someone's character or a company's policy.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做saang1生ji3意wai4唯lei6利si6是tou4圖，bin1邊jau5有jan4人hang2肯tung4同keoi5佢hap6合zok3作aa4呀？

He is only out for profit in business, who would want to work with him?

le1呢gaan1間gung1公si1司wai4唯lei6利si6是tou4圖，jyun4完cyun4全m4唔lei5理jyun4員gung1工sei2死wut6活。

This company is purely profit-driven and ignores the well-being of its employees.

Common phrases

wai4唯lei6利si6是tou4圖ge3嘅soeng1商jan4人

a profit-driven businessman

wai4唯lei6利si6是tou4圖ge3嘅sam1心taai3態

a profit-seeking mentality

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to describe a business-minded person, but it is strictly derogatory. Using it to describe a successful entrepreneur who is simply good at their job will sound like a harsh personal attack.