nim1 hing1 paa3 cung5拈輕怕重拈轻怕重
Jyutpingnim1 hing1 paa3 cung5
Yalenīm hīng pa chúhng
Definition
To pick easy jobs and avoid hard ones; to be averse to hard work.
colloquialwork
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, describing someone who lacks a sense of responsibility or dedication. It is frequently used in professional or academic settings to criticize colleagues or students who shirk difficult tasks. While it functions as a verb phrase, it is often used to describe a person's habitual character rather than a single specific action.
Examples
He always picks easy tasks and avoids hard ones; it's hard to work with him.
Stop picking easy jobs and avoiding the hard ones, just finish it quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
to be picky about tasks at work
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
