jat1 ji4 zoi3, zoi3 ji4 saam1一而再，再而三

Jyutpingjat1 ji4 zoi3, zoi3 ji4 saam1

Yaleyāt yìh joi3, joi yìh sāam

Definition

Again and again; repeatedly.

colloquialdescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of frustration or annoyance regarding repetitive negative behavior. It is typically used to emphasize that someone has been given multiple chances but continues to make the same mistake. The structure implies a progression of patience wearing thin as the frequency of the action increases.

Examples

keoi5佢jat1一ji4而zoi3再，zoi3再ji4而saam1三gam3咁ci4遲dou3到，zan1真hai6係hou2好lei4離pou2譜。

He is late again and again, it is really outrageous.

nei5你ji5已ging1經jat1一ji4而zoi3再，zoi3再ji4而saam1三gong2講daai6大waa6話，zung6仲bin1邊jau5有jan4人seon3信nei5你aa4呀？

You have lied again and again, who would still believe you?

Related words

synonymsaam1 faan1 sei3 ci3三番四次sām fān sei chisee alsocung4 fuk1重複chùngh fūk

Common phrases

jat1一ji4而zoi3再，zoi3再ji4而saam1三gam3咁zou6做

to do something again and again

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this phrase for positive or neutral repetitive actions, but it is almost exclusively reserved for criticizing bad habits or annoying situations.