cing1 wong4 bat1 zip3青黃不接青黄不接

Jyutpingcing1 wong4 bat1 zip3

Yalechīng wòhng bāt jip

語句

Definition

To suffer from a generation gap; a failure of the younger generation to succeed the older generation.

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How it's used

Originally describing the period before the autumn harvest when the previous year's grain is exhausted, this idiom is now primarily used in professional or organizational contexts. It highlights a critical lack of younger, capable successors to take over from the older generation. It carries a sense of urgency and concern about the sustainability of a team, industry, or organization.

Examples

gung1公si1司ji1依gaa1家cing1青wong4黃bat1不zip3接，hou2好naan4難ceng2請dou3到jan4人。

The company is currently facing a talent gap and it is hard to hire people.

kau4球deoi2隊cing1青wong4黃bat1不zip3接，dim2點joeng2樣heoi3去zang1爭gun3冠gwan1軍aa4呀？

The team lacks a new generation of players, how can they compete for the championship?

Common phrases

ceot1出jin6現cing1青wong4黃bat1不zip3接

to experience a generational gap

min6面lam4臨cing1青wong4黃bat1不zip3接

to face a talent shortage

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple lack of staff, but it specifically implies a structural gap between generations or experience levels. It is not used for a temporary shortage of supplies or general unemployment.