bat1 jat1 ji4 zuk1不一而足
Jyutpingbat1 jat1 ji4 zuk1
Yalebāt yāt yìh jūk
Definition
Too numerous to be fully enumerated or listed; countless.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a literary weight, often appearing in written reports or formal speeches rather than casual conversation. It functions as a predicate to describe an exhaustive list of items that would be tedious or impossible to fully enumerate. Using it in daily chat can sound overly pretentious or stiff.
Examples
The problems here are too numerous to mention.
His shortcomings are too many to list, I can't even finish counting.
Related words
Common phrases
problems are too numerous to mention
reasons are too numerous to mention
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a direct adjective before a noun, but it must function as a verb phrase or predicate. It is also redundant to pair it with phrases like 等等, as the idiom itself already implies that the list continues indefinitely.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
