jat1 bou6 dang1 tin1一步登天
Jyutpingjat1 bou6 dang1 tin1
Yaleyāt bouh dāng tīn
Definition
To reach heaven in a single bound; to expect instant success or act too rashly.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of warning against impatience and unrealistic expectations. It is frequently used to advise people to build a solid foundation rather than seeking shortcuts to success. The tone is often critical or cautionary when describing someone who lacks the necessary experience for their ambitions.
Examples
Learning takes time, how can you expect to master it in one go?
He wanted to reach the top instantly, but ended up making a complete mess.
Related words
Common phrases
to want to reach the top in one step
cannot reach the top in one step
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply very lucky or successful, but it specifically emphasizes the lack of a gradual process or the unrealistic desire to skip steps.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
