吃人家的嘴軟,拿人家的手軟
See also: 吃人家的嘴软,拿人家的手软
Chinese
- eat; eradicate; destroy; receive; stammer
family; household really and truly; aim; clear; (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle); ofmouth soft; flexible to hold; to seize; to catch; to apprehend; to takefamily; household really and truly; aim; clear; (possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle); ofhand; convenient; ‑er soft; flexible trad. (吃人家的嘴軟,拿人家的手軟) 吃 人家 的 嘴 軟 , 拿 人家 的 手 軟 simp. (吃人家的嘴软,拿人家的手软) 吃 人家 的 嘴 软 , 拿 人家 的 手 软
Etymology
Literally, “the mouth that feeds from others is soft; the hand that takes from others is soft [as well]”.
In other words: “When eating dinner given by others, one should have a soft mouth; when taking bribes, one should have a soft hand.”
Pronunciation
Proverb
吃人家的嘴軟,拿人家的手軟
- One may be bound to others because of the things they give you.