m4 lei5 saam1 cat1 jaa6 jat1唔理三七廿一
Jyutpingm4 lei5 saam1 cat1 jaa6 jat1
Yalem̀h léih sāam chāt yah yāt
Definition
Regardless of the consequences or circumstances; casting all caution to the wind.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
This idiom describes an impulsive or reckless action taken without considering the consequences or the logic of the situation. It is frequently used to criticize someone who acts in a blind or stubborn manner. The phrase is deeply embedded in Cantonese culture and carries a strong sense of impatience or lack of deliberation.
Examples
He didn't care about anything, grabbed the bag, and just left.
Don't just act recklessly, think it through first.
Related words
Common phrases
to act without thinking
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal mathematical expression, but it has no connection to the numbers three, seven, or twenty-one. It is strictly an idiomatic expression for recklessness and should not be used in formal or academic writing.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
