daa2 sing2 sap6 ji6 go3 zing1 san4打醒十二個精神打醒十二个精神

Jyutpingdaa2 sing2 sap6 ji6 go3 zing1 san4

Yaledá síng sahp yih go jīng sàhn

Definition

To be extremely attentive, highly concentrated, or on full alert.

colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions

How it's used

Focusing on the number twelve implies a heightened state of awareness that goes beyond just being awake. It is often used as a warning or a reminder to someone who might be distracted or careless in a high stakes situation. The phrase is idiomatic and carries a sense of urgency that simple words for concentration lack.

Examples

ting1聽jat6日haau2考si5試jiu3要daa2打sing2醒sap6十ji6二go3個zing1精san4神aa4呀。

You need to be super alert for the exam tomorrow.

nei5你zou6做je5嘢go2嗰zan6陣jau5有mou5冇daa2打sing2醒sap6十ji6二go3個zing1精san4神㗎？

Were you paying full attention while you were working?

Common phrases

daa2打sing2醒sap6十ji6二go3個zing1精san4神zou6做je5嘢

to work with full concentration

Common mistake

Learners often try to shorten the phrase, but it must include the full count of twelve to retain its idiomatic force. Using a different number or omitting the count makes the expression sound unnatural to native speakers.