hing3 zuk1 naan4 syu1罄竹難書罄竹难书

Jyutpinghing3 zuk1 naan4 syu1

Yalehing jūk nàahn syū

語句

Definition

Too numerous to record, especially when referring to a person's crimes or misdeeds.

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How it's used

This idiom is strictly reserved for describing negative actions or crimes, never for positive achievements or neutral lists. It carries a heavy, formal tone often found in news reports or serious condemnations. Using it in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or pretentious, so it is best kept for contexts involving severe moral wrongdoing.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做gwo3過ge3嘅waai6壞si6事gaan2簡zik6直hai6係hing3罄zuk1竹naan4難syu1書。

The bad things he has done are simply too many to list.

ni1呢go3個taam1貪gun1官ge3嘅zeoi6罪hang6行hing3罄zuk1竹naan4難syu1書，zan1真hai6係ling6令jan4人faat3髮zi2指。

This corrupt official's crimes are too numerous to record, it is truly infuriating.

Common phrases

zeoi6罪hang6行hing3罄zuk1竹naan4難syu1書

crimes are too numerous to record

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this idiom to describe a long list of anything, such as a long to-do list or a list of ingredients. It is essential to remember that it specifically refers to a catalogue of sins or misdeeds.