dam1 si4 gaan3泵時間泵时间
Jyutpingdam1 si4 gaan3
Yaledām sìh gaan
Definition
To stall, drag out time, or play for time.
colloquialworktime
How it's used
Derived from the English word pump, this expression captures the feeling of artificially inflating or extending the duration of a task. It is frequently used in professional or school settings when someone is deliberately slowing down their pace to avoid starting a new, more difficult assignment. The term carries a slightly negative connotation of laziness or avoidance.
Examples
He is always playing for time, he doesn't want to finish the work so quickly.
How much longer are you going to drag this out? Hurry up and get it done.
Related words
Common phrases
to drag out time while working
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal action of pumping something, such as pumping air into a tire, which is also expressed as 泵. The context of time is essential to distinguish the idiomatic meaning from the physical action.
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.
