jan1 gaa1 dak1 gaam2因加得減因加得减

Jyutpingjan1 gaa1 dak1 gaam2

Yaleyān gā dāk gáam

Definition

To end up with less than before as a result of trying to gain more.

colloquialworkmoney

How it's used

This idiom describes a situation where an attempt to improve a condition or increase a benefit results in an unintended net decrease or disadvantage. It is frequently used in professional or administrative contexts to critique policies where extra effort or investment leads to diminishing returns. The phrase carries a cynical tone, highlighting the irony of counterproductive outcomes.

Examples

gaa1加zo2咗jan4人gung1工faan2反ji4而jiu3要gaau1交do1多di1啲seoi3稅，zan1真hai6係jan1因gaa1加dak1得gaam2減。

I got a raise but have to pay more tax, it really is a net loss.

nei5你gam3咁joeng2樣zou6做zi2只wui5會jan1因gaa1加dak1得gaam2減，m4唔hou2好gaau2搞gam3咁do1多je5嘢laa1啦。

Doing it that way will only result in a net loss, don't overcomplicate things.

Common phrases

bin3變zo2咗jan1因gaa1加dak1得gaam2減

turned into a net loss

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe a simple reduction in quantity. It specifically requires the irony of an initial increase or effort that triggers a subsequent loss.