laap6 zeoi1 zi1 dei6立錐之地立锥之地

Jyutpinglaap6 zeoi1 zi1 dei6

Yalelaph jēui jī deih

Definition

(idiom) someone's situation is destitute; someone has tiny shelter to betake

writtenplacesmoney

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe an extremely cramped living space or a state of absolute poverty where one lacks even the smallest amount of property. While it carries a formal or literary tone, it is frequently used in hyperbolic ways to complain about the high cost of living or the lack of space in Hong Kong apartments. It functions as a noun phrase that highlights the desperation of having nowhere to stand or settle.

Examples

keoi5 kung4 dou3 lin4 laap6 zeoi1 zi1 dei6 dou1 mou5 aa4

佢窮到連立錐之地都冇呀。

He is so poor that he doesn't even have a tiny place to live.

nei1 dou6 gam3 sai3 bin1 jau5 laap6 zeoi1 zi1 dei6 bei2 nei5 fong3 je5

呢度咁細，邊有立錐之地俾你放嘢？

It's so small here, where is there even a tiny bit of space for you to put things?

Common phrases

mou5 laap6 zeoi1 zi1 dei6

冇立錐之地

have no place to stand

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe a small but comfortable room, as it implies a sense of destitution or extreme lack of space. It is not a standard way to describe a small apartment in a neutral context.