lam4 sam1 lei5 bok6臨深履薄临深履薄
Jyutpinglam4 sam1 lei5 bok6
Yalelàhm sām léih bohk
Definition
To proceed with extreme caution; to act as if wading in deep water or treading on thin ice.
writtendescriptionsother
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, formal tone and is typically used to describe a state of extreme vigilance or mental pressure in high-stakes situations. Unlike everyday expressions for being careful, this phrase emphasizes the psychological burden of potential disaster. It is rarely used in casual conversation and is more common in professional, political, or literary contexts.
Examples
You have to be extremely cautious in this job and cannot afford any mistakes.
He has been treading on thin ice while dealing with this difficult problem.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say careful, but using it in trivial situations like crossing the street or cooking dinner sounds overly dramatic and unnatural.
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.
