saam1 si1 ji4 hang4三思而行

Jyutpingsaam1 si1 ji4 hang4

Yalesāam sī yìh hàhng

Definition

To look before you leap; to think carefully and thoroughly before taking action.

neutraldaily actions

How it's used

This idiom is a formal expression used to advise someone to be cautious and deliberate. While it sounds slightly literary, it is frequently used in daily life to give serious advice or to warn someone against making a hasty mistake. It carries a sense of wisdom and maturity that simple phrases like 諗清楚 lack.

Examples

zou6做kyut3決ding6定zi1之cin4前，zeoi3最hou2好saam3三si1思ji4而hang4行aa4呀。

Before you make a decision, you had better think it over carefully.

nei5你gam3咁cung1衝dung6動，zou6做me1咩m4唔saam3三si1思ji4而hang4行sin1先le1呢？

You are so impulsive, why don't you think twice before acting?

Common phrases

hyun3勸jan4人saam3三si1思ji4而hang4行

to advise someone to think twice

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a casual phrase, but it carries a weight of seriousness. It is not appropriate for trivial daily choices like picking a snack, but rather for significant life decisions.