hai6 gam2 ji3係咁意系咁意

Jyutpinghai6 gam2 ji3

Yalehaih gám yi

Definition

To do something half-heartedly, perfunctorily, or just for show.

colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions

How it's used

Conveys a sense of doing something perfunctorily or to fulfill a social obligation without genuine effort. It often implies that the action is superficial and lacks depth, serving only as a gesture to satisfy expectations. Use this when describing tasks performed with minimal investment, such as cleaning a room just enough to pass a quick inspection.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢hou2好kau4求kei4其，zing6淨hai6係hai6係gam2咁ji3意zing2整loeng5兩haa5下zau6就syun3算。

He works very sloppily, just doing a little bit for show and calling it a day.

nei5你hai6係gam2咁ji3意maai5買di1啲saang1生gwo2果heoi3去taam3探beng6病zau6就dak1得㗎gaa2喇。

You can just buy some fruit for show when you go visit the patient, that will be enough.

Common phrases

hai6係gam2咁ji3意zou6做

do something perfunctorily

hai6係gam2咁ji3意gong2講

say something just for the sake of it

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe genuine effort or serious work, as it carries a strong connotation of laziness or lack of sincerity. It is not interchangeable with just doing something quickly, as it specifically highlights the lack of intent behind the action.