jat1 gei6 pong4 san1一技旁身
Jyutpingjat1 gei6 pong4 san1
Yaleyāt geih pòhng sān
Definition
To possess a useful skill for making a living or helping oneself in times of need.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of practical wisdom and long term security. It is frequently used by older generations to encourage younger people to acquire vocational or technical skills, emphasizing that such knowledge acts as a safety net during uncertain economic times.
Examples
Learn an extra skill to have in your pocket, it will be easier to find a job later.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply having a hobby, as the phrase specifically implies a skill that can be used to earn a living or survive independently in a professional context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
