po3 fu2 cam4 zau1破釜沉舟

Jyutpingpo3 fu2 cam4 zau1

Yalepo fú chàhm jāu

動詞

Definition

To cut off one's retreat and resolve to fight to the end; to act with absolute determination.

writtenother

How it's used

Originating from a historical military tactic of destroying cooking pots and sinking boats to prevent retreat, this idiom carries a heavy sense of finality. It is reserved for situations where one has reached a point of no return and must succeed at all costs. Unlike casual expressions of determination, it implies a high-stakes environment where failure is not an option.

Examples

gei3既jin4然kyut3決ding6定zo2咗cong3創jip6業，zau6就jat1一ding6定jiu3要po3破fu2釜cam4沉zau1舟。

Since you have decided to start a business, you must be fully committed.

keoi5佢gam1今ci3次haau2考si5試zan1真hai6係po3破fu2釜cam4沉zau1舟，m4唔hap6合gaak3格zau6就mou5冇lou6路haang4行。

He is really burning his bridges for this exam; if he fails, he has no other options.

Common phrases

po3破fu2釜cam4沉zau1舟ge3嘅kyut3決sam1心

a determination to burn one's bridges

Common mistake

Learners often use this to describe simple goal-setting, but it is too dramatic for everyday tasks like deciding to go to the gym or starting a new hobby. It should only be used when there is a genuine risk involved or a significant sacrifice made to ensure there is no turning back.