hung1 sau2 diu6 hung1 bei3空手掉空臂

Jyutpinghung1 sau2 diu6 hung1 bei3

Yalehūng sáu diuh hūng bei

Definition

To have nothing in one's hands; empty-handed.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

This idiom emphasizes the state of having absolutely nothing in one's hands or possessing nothing of value. It is often used to describe someone arriving at a social gathering or a meeting without bringing a gift or the expected items. The rhythm of the phrase makes it a common, slightly dramatic way to point out someone's lack of preparation or contribution.

Examples

nei5你zou6做me1咩hung1空sau2手diu6掉hung1空bei3臂haang4行jap6入lai4嚟aa4呀？

Why did you walk in here with nothing in your hands?

Common phrases

hung1空sau2手diu6掉hung1空bei3臂gam3咁heoi3去

to go empty-handed

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with the simple phrase兩手空空. While they share the same meaning, 空手掉空臂 is more emphatic and specifically highlights the act of arriving or appearing without anything.