zeng1 jan4 ceot1 hau2 ban6 jan4 ceot1 sau2精人出口，笨人出手
Jyutpingzeng1 jan4 ceot1 hau2 ban6 jan4 ceot1 sau2
Yalejēng yàhn chēut háu bahn yàhn chēut sáu
Definition
Smart people only give ideas and let foolish people execute them, leaving the foolish to bear the consequences.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
This proverb highlights the cynical reality of workplace or social hierarchies where those in power delegate labor to others. It is often used as a warning to someone who is being taken advantage of, or as a bitter observation about a boss who avoids getting their hands dirty. The structure relies on the contrast between the mouth, which represents planning or commanding, and the hand, which represents physical labor.
Related words
Common phrases
smart people give the orders
fools do the manual labor
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a compliment about efficiency, but it is almost always used to complain about unfair treatment or to warn someone that they are being manipulated.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
