saam1 jin4 loeng5 jyu5三言兩語三言两语
Jyutpingsaam1 jin4 loeng5 jyu5
Yalesāam yìhn léuhng yúh
Definition
A few words; a brief explanation, usually used in negative statements.
colloquialcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is almost exclusively used in negative constructions to emphasize that a situation is too complex or profound to be summarized briefly. It functions as a way to signal that the speaker is about to provide a long explanation or that the topic at hand is inherently complicated. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight despite being used in everyday speech.
Examples
This matter cannot be explained clearly in just a few words.
How could his experiences possibly be told in just a few words?
Related words
Common phrases
explain clearly in a few words
finish telling in a few words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use it in positive sentences, but it sounds unnatural to say something like "I can explain it in a few words" using this phrase. It is specifically designed to highlight the inadequacy of brevity.
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.
