jam6 zung6 dou6 jyun5任重道遠任重道远

Jyutpingjam6 zung6 dou6 jyun5

Yaleyahm juhng douh yúhn

形容詞

Definition

To bear heavy responsibilities and have a long way to go.

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How it's used

This idiom is derived from classical Chinese and carries a formal, serious tone despite being used in spoken Cantonese. It is typically reserved for discussing significant social roles, long-term goals, or moral obligations rather than mundane tasks. When used in conversation, it often serves to acknowledge the gravity of a situation or to express respect for someone's dedication to a difficult cause.

Examples

le1呢fan2份gung1工zok3作jam6任zung6重dou6道jyun5遠，nei5你zan1真hai6係jiu3要nam2諗cing1清co2楚sin1先zip3接。

This job carries a heavy burden; you really need to think carefully before accepting it.

teoi1推dung6動waan4環bou2保gaau3教juk6育jam6任zung6重dou6道jyun5遠，m4唔hai6係jat1一loeng5兩nin4年zau6就zou6做dou3到。

Promoting environmental education is a long and arduous task that cannot be achieved in a year or two.

Common phrases

jam6任mou6務jam6任zung6重dou6道jyun5遠

the mission is arduous and long-term

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say a task is hard, but it specifically implies a sense of duty or mission. Using it to describe a minor chore or a simple homework assignment will sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.