ging1 nin4 leoi5 jyut6經年累月经年累月
Jyutpingging1 nin4 leoi5 jyut6
Yalegīng nìhn léuih yuht
Definition
To accumulate or drag on for many years and months; over a very long period of time.
writtentimeother
How it's used
This idiom emphasizes a much longer duration than 日積月累, often implying a process spanning many years rather than just months or a general long period. It carries a sense of weariness or the heavy weight of time, making it suitable for describing deep-seated habits or long-term structural changes.
Examples
He saved money over many years and finally bought a flat.
Related words
Common phrases
efforts accumulated over many years
long-standing habits
Common mistake
Learners often use this interchangeably with 日積月累, but it sounds overly dramatic or literary if applied to short-term tasks. Avoid using it for things that happened over a few weeks or months, as it specifically highlights the passage of years.
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.
