jat1 leon4 bun3 zaau2一鱗半爪一鳞半爪

Jyutpingjat1 leon4 bun3 zaau2

Yaleyāt lèuhn bun jáau

名詞

Definition

Fragment; odd bits and pieces of a larger whole.

writtendescriptionsother

How it's used

This idiom is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe information or evidence that is incomplete or scattered. It carries a slightly sophisticated tone and is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation. It is most effective when emphasizing that someone has only grasped a small, disconnected piece of a much larger and more complex situation.

Examples

le1呢gin2件si6事zi2只hai6係jat1一leon4鱗bun3半zaau2爪，zung6仲jau5有hou2好do1多noi6內cing4情。

This matter is only a fragment, there is still a lot of inside information.

nei5你tai2睇dou3到ge3嘅zi2只hai6係jat1一leon4鱗bun3半zaau2爪，dim2點joeng2樣ping4評leon6論le1呢？

What you see is only a fragment, how can you comment on it?

Common phrases

zi2只gin3見jat1一leon4鱗bun3半zaau2爪

only see a fragment

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of physical objects, but it is strictly used for abstract concepts like information, memories, or evidence. Do not use it to describe physical debris or broken pieces of an item.