zeng2 seoi2 bat1 faan6 ho4 seoi2井水不犯河水

Jyutpingzeng2 seoi2 bat1 faan6 ho4 seoi2

Yalejéng séui bāt faahn hòh séui

語句

Definition

To mind one's own business and not interfere with each other; keeping boundaries clear and distinct.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This idiom describes a state of mutual non-interference rather than just a lack of interest. It is often used to establish boundaries between two parties who have had a conflict or simply wish to avoid future entanglement. It carries a firm tone, signaling that both sides should stay within their own lanes to maintain peace.

Examples

ngo5我dei6哋daai6大gaa1家zeng2井seoi2水bat1不faan6犯ho4河seoi2水，nei5你m4唔hou2好gaau2搞ngo5我。

Let's just mind our own business, don't mess with me.

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個zeng2井seoi2水bat1不faan6犯ho4河seoi2水，ping4平si4時mou5冇gaau1交lau4流。

The two of them keep to themselves and don't interact.

Common phrases

cung4從ci2此zeng2井seoi2水bat1不faan6犯ho4河seoi2水

from now on, we will mind our own business

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'I don't care,' but it specifically implies a formal or semi-formal agreement to avoid conflict. It is not used for casual indifference, but rather for setting a clear boundary between two parties.