zi6 sik6 kei4 gwo2自食其果
Jyutpingzi6 sik6 kei4 gwo2
Yalejih sihk kèih gwó
Definition
To reap what one has sown; to suffer the consequences of one's own wrongdoings.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of poetic justice or inevitable retribution for one's poor choices. While it is a formal idiom, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to emphasize that a person's current misfortune is entirely self inflicted. It often appears at the end of a sentence to deliver a punchy, final judgment on someone's behavior.
Examples
He always lied, and in the end, he faced the consequences and nobody trusts him anymore.
Related words
Common phrases
eventually reap what one has sown
end up facing the consequences of one's own actions
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe neutral or positive outcomes, as it is strictly reserved for negative consequences resulting from bad decisions or immoral actions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
