gai1 cung4 dak1 sat1雞蟲得失鸡虫得失

Jyutpinggai1 cung4 dak1 sat1

Yalegāi chùhng dāk sāt

Definition

Trivialities; minor disputes or inconsequential gains and losses.

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

This expression carries a dismissive tone, suggesting that the matters being discussed are not just small, but beneath serious consideration. It is often used to advise someone to let go of minor grievances or to stop focusing on insignificant details. The imagery evokes the idea of something as tiny and inconsequential as a chicken or an insect.

Examples

ni1呢di1啲gai1雞cung4蟲dak1得sat1失，m4唔hou2好gam3咁gai3計gaau3較laa1啦。

Don't be so petty about these trivial matters.

nei5你wai6為zo2咗ni1呢di1啲gai1雞cung4蟲dak1得sat1失tung4同jan4人cou4嘈，zik6值dak1得me1咩？

Is it worth arguing with others over such petty things?

Common phrases

gai3計gaau3較gai1雞cung4蟲dak1得sat1失

to fuss over trivialities

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of animals, but it is strictly a figurative idiom for trivialities. Avoid using it in formal or professional writing as it is highly colloquial and can sound condescending if used to dismiss someone else's genuine concerns.