wai5 zat6 gei6 ji1諱疾忌醫讳疾忌医

Jyutpingwai5 zat6 gei6 ji1

Yalewáih jaht geih yī

動詞

Definition

To hide a sickness and refuse treatment, or figuratively to conceal one's faults to avoid criticism.

to hide an illness and refuse treatment for fear of letting others know
figurativeto conceal a fault or mistake to avoid criticism or advice

writtenhealthpeople

How it's used

This idiom is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who is too proud or stubborn to admit a problem. While it literally refers to medical conditions, it is frequently applied to workplace or personal issues where someone refuses to acknowledge their mistakes to avoid losing face. Using it in casual conversation can sound quite intellectual or critical.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好wai5諱zat6疾gei6忌ji1醫laa1啦，faai3快di1啲heoi3去tai2睇ji1醫sang1生。

Don't hide your illness, go see a doctor quickly.

keoi5佢faan6犯zo2咗co3錯jau6又wai5諱zat6疾gei6忌ji1醫，dim2點joeng2樣goi2改zeon3進aa4呀？

He made a mistake but hides it from criticism, how can he improve?

Common phrases

wai5諱zat6疾gei6忌ji1醫ge3嘅taai3態dou6度

an attitude of concealing faults

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say someone is afraid of doctors, but it specifically emphasizes the act of concealing a problem to avoid judgment or intervention.