zi6 zok3 jit6自作孽
Definition
To have only oneself to blame; to bring disaster upon oneself through one's own actions.
How it's used
This expression carries a heavy, moralistic tone, implying that the person's current suffering is a direct consequence of their own past misdeeds. It is often used to express a sense of poetic justice or frustration toward someone who refuses to take responsibility for their own poor choices. Unlike simpler phrases for making mistakes, this suggests a deeper, almost fated sense of self-destruction.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often use this to describe minor accidents or simple mistakes, but it is too strong for that. It should be reserved for situations where someone has caused their own significant downfall or serious trouble through their own stubbornness or bad behavior.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
