saam1 goek3 maau1三腳貓三脚猫

Jyutpingsaam1 goek3 maau1

Yalesāam geuk māau

名詞

Definition

An inadequate command or a half-competent level of skill.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Describes someone who lacks depth or mastery in a particular skill, often implying they have just enough knowledge to be dangerous or to show off. It carries a slightly mocking or dismissive tone, suggesting the person is a jack of all trades but master of none. It is most commonly used to describe physical skills or crafts rather than academic knowledge.

Examples

keoi5佢hok6學zo2咗loeng5兩jat6日gung1功fu1夫zau6就soeng2想heoi3去bei2比coi3賽，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係saam1三goek3腳maau1貓。

He wants to join the competition after only two days of training; he is clearly just a dabbler.

nei5你ne1呢di1啲saam1三goek3腳maau1貓gung1功fu1夫，dim2點joeng2樣heoi3去gaau3教jan4人aa4呀？

With your half-baked skills, how are you going to teach others?

Common phrases

saam1三goek3腳maau1貓gung1功fu1夫

half-baked skills

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is a total beginner or knows nothing at all. It specifically refers to someone who has some superficial knowledge but fails to reach a professional or competent standard.