jat1 sam1 ji6 jung6一心二用

Jyutpingjat1 sam1 ji6 jung6

Yaleyāt sām yih yuhng

動詞

Definition

To do two things at the same time; to divide one's attention or multitask.

colloquialdaily actionswork

How it's used

Focuses on the negative aspect of splitting attention between tasks, often implying that neither task is being done well. It is frequently used by teachers or parents to scold someone for being distracted. Unlike simply doing two things at once, this phrase carries a sense of mental division that hinders efficiency.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好jat1一sam1心ji6二jung6用laa1啦，zyun1專sam1心di1啲teng1聽syu1書。

Don't multitask, focus on the lecture.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日jat1一sam1心ji6二jung6用，bin1邊sik6食faan6飯bin1邊tai2睇din6電waa2話。

He is always multitasking, eating and looking at his phone at the same time.

Common phrases

cit3切gei6忌jat1一sam1心ji6二jung6用

must avoid multitasking

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe positive multitasking or efficient productivity, as the term almost always carries a critical tone regarding a lack of focus.