zoi6 so2 naan4 min5在所難免在所难免
Jyutpingzoi6 so2 naan4 min5
Yalejoih só nàahn míhn
Definition
Unavoidable; inevitable; bound to happen.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in spoken Cantonese to describe situations that are logically expected. It is typically used to soften the blow of a negative outcome or to justify a situation by framing it as a natural consequence. It functions as a predicate and often appears at the end of a clause followed by particles like 㗎 or 喇.
Examples
Life is full of setbacks, failure is inevitable.
With so many people working together, is a difference of opinion unavoidable?
Related words
Common phrases
mistakes are inevitable
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective, but it acts as a fixed phrase that describes a situation rather than a person. Avoid using it to describe personal choices or actions that could have been prevented, as it specifically implies a lack of control over the outcome.
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.
