jam2 tau4 daam6 tong1飲頭啖湯饮头啖汤

Jyutpingjam2 tau4 daam6 tong1

Yaleyám tàuh daahm tōng

Definition

To be the first to reap the benefits of a new opportunity; the early bird gets the worm.

colloquialfooddaily actions

How it's used

Literally referring to the first sip of a freshly boiled soup, this idiom captures the cultural value placed on being the first to experience or benefit from something. It is frequently used in business or social contexts to describe someone who seizes an opportunity before others. Unlike standard idioms, it carries a slightly informal and vivid tone that fits well in casual advice or observations.

Examples

nei5你faai3快di1啲heoi3去paai4排deoi2隊laa1啦，jam2飲tau4頭daam6啖tong1湯jau5有zoek6著sou3數㗎。

Go queue up quickly, there's an advantage to being the first one.

keoi5佢ci3次ci3次dou1都jam2飲tau4頭daam6啖tong1湯，naan4難gwaai3怪gam3咁faai3快sing1升zik1職。

He always gets there first, no wonder he got promoted so fast.

Common phrases

zaang1爭zyu6住jam2飲tau4頭daam6啖tong1湯

competing to be the first

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply early for an appointment or a meeting. It specifically implies that there is a limited reward or a competitive advantage gained by being the first to act.