jyu4 sou3 gaa1 zan1如數家珍如数家珍

Jyutpingjyu4 sou3 gaa1 zan1

Yaleyùh sou gā jān

Definition

Extremely familiar with a subject, as if enumerating one's own family treasures.

neutralpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a sense of pride or deep expertise, often used when someone is enthusiastically listing facts or details. It implies that the subject matter is so ingrained in the speaker's mind that they can recall it effortlessly, much like someone who knows exactly where their most precious belongings are kept. It is frequently used in contexts where a person is showing off their niche knowledge or long-term experience with a specific topic.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講hei2起le1呢tou3套hei3戲di1啲sai3細zit3節，zan1真hai6係jyu4如sou2數gaa1家zan1珍aa4呀。

He talks about the details of this movie as if they were his own family treasures.

nei5你deoi3對le1呢keoi1區di1啲gau6舊pou3舖tau2頭gam3咁jyu4如sou2數gaa1家zan1珍，zyu6住zo2咗hou2好noi6耐㗎？

You know these old shops in the area so well, have you lived here for a long time?

Common phrases

gong2講hei2起lei4嚟jyu4如sou2數gaa1家zan1珍

to talk about something with great familiarity

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of counting money or items. It is strictly a metaphorical expression used to describe knowledge or familiarity, not the act of counting physical objects.