gai1 sau2 aap3 goek3雞手鴨腳鸡手鸭脚

Jyutpinggai1 sau2 aap3 goek3

Yalegāi sáu aap geuk

形容詞Uncommon

Definition

Clumsy, disorganized, and inefficient; all fingers and thumbs when performing a task.

colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions

How it's used

This idiom vividly describes someone who is flustered or uncoordinated when performing a task, often resulting in a chaotic or inefficient process. It is frequently used to tease friends or colleagues who are struggling with a new or unfamiliar activity. Unlike simply being slow, this term emphasizes the lack of grace and the disorganized nature of the person's movements.

Examples

nei5你zou6做je5嘢gam3咁gai1雞sau2手aap3鴨goek3腳，dim2點joeng2樣fong3放sam1心gaau1交bei2畀nei5你aa4呀？

You are so clumsy at work, how can I feel safe leaving it to you?

keoi5佢dai6第jat1一ci3次zing2整daan6蛋gou1糕，gaau2搞dou3到sing4成go3個cyu4廚fong2房gai1雞sau2手aap3鴨goek3腳。

He was all fingers and thumbs making a cake for the first time, leaving the kitchen in a mess.

Common phrases

zou6做dak1得gai1雞sau2手aap3鴨goek3腳

to do something in a clumsy manner

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is physically disabled or has a permanent lack of coordination. It is strictly reserved for situational clumsiness or lack of experience in a specific task.