cam2 sik6寢食寝食
Jyutpingcam2 sik6
Yalechám sihk
Definition
To sleep and eat; the daily basic needs of resting and dining.
writtenemotionhealth
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that describes a state of extreme anxiety or preoccupation. It is rarely used in casual conversation to describe literal eating or sleeping habits, but rather to emphasize the severity of someone's distress. It almost always appears in the four-character phrase 寢食難安.
Examples
He has been so worried lately that he can't sleep or eat properly.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this as a literal verb for daily routines, but it is strictly an idiom for emotional distress. Do not use it to describe a healthy lifestyle or a normal daily schedule.
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.
