gim1 ji4 jau5 zi1兼而有之

Jyutpinggim1 ji4 jau5 zi1

Yalegīm yìh yáuh jī

語句

Definition

To possess or have multiple things at the same time.

writtendescriptions

How it's used

This is a formal, literary idiom that stands out significantly from everyday spoken Cantonese. It is typically used in written contexts, speeches, or serious discussions rather than casual conversation. Using it in a relaxed setting can make you sound overly academic or stiff.

Examples

keoi5佢fan6份jan4人jau6又leng3靚jau6又lek1叻，zan1真hai6係gim1兼ji4而jau5有zi1之。

She is both beautiful and talented, truly having both qualities.

si6事jip6業tung4同gaa1家ting4庭，nei5你jau6又hai6係mai1咪ho2可ji5以gim1兼ji4而jau5有zi1之le1呢？

Can you really have both a career and a family at the same time?

Common phrases

loeng5兩ze2者gim1兼ji4而jau5有zi1之

to have both of them

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common verb phrase, but it is a fixed idiom that functions as a predicate. It cannot be easily modified by common Cantonese aspect markers like 咗 or 緊.