gong2 hau2 m4 gong2 sau2講口唔講手讲口唔讲手

Jyutpinggong2 hau2 m4 gong2 sau2

Yalegóng háu m̀h góng sáu

語句

Definition

To talk but not act; describing someone who is all talk and no action.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

This idiom highlights the discrepancy between verbal promises and physical execution. It is often used to criticize someone who makes grand claims or threats but fails to follow through with any tangible effort. The structure relies on the contrast between 講口, referring to the mouth or speech, and 講手, which implies the use of hands or actual labor.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日gong2講hau2口m4唔gong2講sau2手，nei5你m4唔hou2好seon3信keoi5佢aa4呀。

He is always all talk and no action, don't trust him.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪gong2講hau2口m4唔gong2講sau2手㗎？gaa4做zou6嘢je5啦。

Are you just all talk? Get to work.

Common phrases

zing6淨hai6係gong2講hau2口m4唔gong2講sau2手

only talks and never acts

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with physical fighting. While 手 means hand, the phrase is metaphorical and refers to taking action or doing work, not literally engaging in a physical brawl.