daa2 tit3 can3 jit6打鐵趁熱打铁趁热
Jyutpingdaa2 tit3 can3 jit6
Yaledá tit chan yiht
Definition
To strike while the iron is hot; to seize an opportunity immediately and not let it slip away.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used in professional or collaborative settings to encourage immediate action when enthusiasm or momentum is high. It carries a sense of urgency and strategic timing, emphasizing that waiting too long can cause a window of opportunity to close. It is often used as a persuasive tool to nudge others into making a quick decision.
Examples
Since everyone is so interested, why don't we strike while the iron is hot and hold a meeting?
If you have a good idea, do it quickly; you only get results if you strike while the iron is hot.
Related words
Common phrases
strike while the iron is hot and do it
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal instruction about metalwork, but it is purely metaphorical. Do not use it to describe physical heating or cooking processes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
