dim2 zi2 gam3 gaan2 daan1點止咁簡單点止咁简单

Jyutpingdim2 zi2 gam3 gaan2 daan1

Yaledím jí gam gáan dāan

Definition

It's not that simple; there is more to it than meets the eye.

colloquialdescriptionscommunication

How it's used

Used to emphasize that a situation is far more complex or serious than it appears on the surface. It often serves as a lead-in to reveal hidden information or a deeper motive. The phrase is highly idiomatic and functions as a rhetorical device to challenge someone's superficial assessment.

Examples

le1呢gin2件si6事dim2點zi2止gam3咁gaan2簡daan1單，bui3背hau6後zung6仲jau5有hou2好do1多je5嘢。

This matter is not so simple, there is a lot more behind it.

nei5你ji5以wai4為keoi5佢zi2只hai6係ci4遲dou3到？kei4其sat6實dim2點zi2止gam3咁gaan2簡daan1單aa4呀。

You think he is just late? Actually, it is not that simple.

Common phrases

dim2點zi2止gam3咁gaan2簡daan1單

it is far from simple

Common mistake

Avoid using this in formal writing or professional reports, as it is strictly colloquial. It is also not a direct translation for the English phrase "it's not simple" in a technical sense; it specifically implies that there is a hidden, often more complicated, reality.