zung1 jin4 jik6 ji5忠言逆耳

Jyutpingzung1 jin4 jik6 ji5

Yalejūng yìhn yihk yíh

語句

Definition

Sincere and honest advice is often hard to accept because of its bluntness, even though it is beneficial.

neutralcommunicationother

How it's used

This idiom is used to justify blunt or critical feedback that might otherwise cause offense. It serves as a reminder that the value of advice lies in its truthfulness rather than its delivery. It is often invoked when someone is being defensive about receiving constructive criticism.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講je5嘢seoi1雖jin4然naan4難teng1聽，daan6但zung1忠jin4言jik6逆ji5耳，nei5你dou1都hai6係teng1聽haa5下laa1啦。

What he says is harsh, but good advice is hard to accept; you should listen to it.

ming4明zi1知zung1忠jin4言jik6逆ji5耳，nei5你zung6仲jiu3要gam3咁zik6直zip3接waa6話keoi5佢zi1知？

Knowing that good advice is hard to accept, do you still have to tell him so directly?

Common phrases

zung1忠jin4言jik6逆ji5耳lei6利jyu1於haang4行

Good advice is hard on the ears but beneficial for one's actions.

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe advice that is simply mean or insulting. It specifically refers to advice that is well intentioned and truthful but unpleasant to hear because it highlights a personal flaw or mistake.