saam1 ng5 zi1 gei2三五知己

Jyutpingsaam1 ng5 zi1 gei2

Yalesāam ńgh jī géi

名詞

Definition

A small group of close friends.

colloquialpeople

How it's used

This idiom specifically refers to a small, intimate group of trusted companions rather than a large crowd. It carries a warm, relaxed connotation often associated with leisure activities like dining or casual gatherings. While it implies a long-standing or deep connection, it is frequently used to describe spontaneous or informal social plans.

Examples

gam1今maan5晚joek3約zo2咗saam1三ng5五zi1知gei2己heoi3去sik6食faan6飯。

I have plans to eat out with a few close friends tonight.

nei5你dak1得haan4閒wan2搵saam1三ng5五zi1知gei2己ceot1出lai4嚟jam2飲bui1杯je5嘢laa1啦。

You should find a few close friends to go out for a drink when you are free.

Common phrases

joek3約saam1三ng5五zi1知gei2己

to make plans with a few close friends

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal count of three or five people, but it is a set phrase meaning a small group of friends. Using it to refer to exactly three or five people can sound unnatural or confusing to native speakers.