fan1 san1 fat6 seot6分身乏術分身乏术
Jyutpingfan1 san1 fat6 seot6
Yalefān sān faht seuht
Definition
To be so busy and occupied with work that one cannot attend to other things at the same time.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
This idiom is used to express that one is physically or mentally unable to handle multiple tasks simultaneously due to being overwhelmed. It carries a sense of regret or apology when declining a request because of prior commitments. Unlike simply saying you are busy, this phrase emphasizes the impossibility of splitting yourself to cover all responsibilities.
Examples
I am tied up right now and cannot help you.
Related words
Common phrases
really tied up
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
