caam4 cung4 si1 je4蠶蟲師爺蚕虫师爷
Jyutpingcaam4 cung4 si1 je4
Yalechàahm chùhng sī yèh
Definition
Someone who brings trouble upon themselves.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom draws a vivid comparison to a silkworm that spins its own cocoon, effectively trapping itself inside. It is used to describe someone who creates their own problems through unnecessary interference or foolish actions. The term carries a slightly mocking tone, implying that the person's predicament is entirely of their own making.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is always meddling, he really is someone who brings trouble upon himself.
Don't be a self-troublemaker and end up in a mess.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general terms for troublemakers, but it specifically emphasizes self-inflicted harm rather than causing trouble for others intentionally. It is a colorful, idiomatic expression that should be used with caution in formal settings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
