bing1 saan1 jat1 gok3冰山一角
Jyutpingbing1 saan1 jat1 gok3
Yalebīng sāan yāt gok
Definition
The tip of the iceberg; a tiny visible part of a much larger, unseen whole.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe a small, visible part of a much larger and often hidden problem. It carries a slightly serious or cautionary tone, frequently appearing in news reports or formal discussions about corruption, scandals, or systemic issues. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits seamlessly into casual spoken Cantonese when you want to emphasize that something is far worse than it appears.
Examples
These problems are just the tip of the iceberg.
You think it's solved? Actually, that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Related words
Common phrases
is just the tip of the iceberg
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistakenly use this to describe the beginning of a process or a small amount of something positive. It is almost exclusively reserved for negative or hidden situations that imply a larger, unseen danger or complexity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
