haang4 syun4 zaang1 gaai2 laam6行船爭解纜行船争解缆

Jyutpinghaang4 syun4 zaang1 gaai2 laam6

Yalehàahng syùhn jāang gáai laahm

Definition

To always want to be the first to act; to scramble to do something before others.

colloquialdaily actionsother

How it's used

This idiom originates from the maritime world, referring to the competitive nature of sailors wanting to be the first to cast off their mooring lines to gain a head start. It is used to describe someone who is overly eager or impatient to take action, often implying a lack of proper planning or caution. While it can describe a proactive attitude, it frequently carries a slightly critical tone suggesting that haste might lead to mistakes.

Examples

zou6做je5嘢m4唔hou2好haang4行syun4船zaang1爭gaai2解laam6纜，jiu3要tai2睇cing1清co2楚sin1先。

Don't be so eager to start work, check things carefully first.

nei5你zou6做me1咩gam3咁haang4行syun4船zaang1爭gaai2解laam6纜aa4呀？maan6慢maan2慢lai4嚟laa1啦。

Why are you in such a rush to be first? Take it easy.

Common phrases

haang4行syun4船zaang1爭gaai2解laam6纜，maa5馬sei2死lok6落dei6地haang4行

A common proverb pairing that emphasizes both the urge to start and the need to adapt when things go wrong.

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a positive trait like being proactive, but it is usually used as a warning or a critique of someone acting too impulsively.