duk6 sik6獨食独食

Jyutpingduk6 sik6

Yaleduhk sihk

形容詞Rare

Definition

Selfish; reluctant to share with others or work in a team.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

Originally referring to eating alone, this term has evolved into a common label for anyone who refuses to share credit, resources, or information. It is frequently applied in workplace or team sports contexts to describe someone who prefers to work in isolation to keep all the benefits for themselves. Using it carries a strong negative connotation of being uncooperative or greedy.

Examples

nei5你zou6做je5嘢m4唔hou2好gam3咁duk6獨sik6食，daai6大gaa1家hap6合zok3作sin1先seon6順lei6利㗎。

Don't be so selfish with your work, things go smoother when we cooperate.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日duk6獨sik6食m4唔fan1分bei2畀jan4人，naan4難gwaai3怪mou5冇pang4朋jau5友。

He always hogs everything for himself and doesn't share, no wonder he has no friends.

Common phrases

duk6獨sik6食naan4難fei4肥

you can't succeed or thrive by hoarding everything for yourself

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply eating by yourself, which is better described as 一個人食飯. Using 獨食 to describe a solo diner can sound like you are accusing them of being selfish or antisocial, rather than just describing their dining situation.