saam1 jan4 sing4 fu2三人成虎

Jyutpingsaam1 jan4 sing4 fu2

Yalesāam yàhn sìhng fú

語句

Definition

Repeated rumors eventually become accepted as facts.

neutralcommunicationpeople

How it's used

This idiom describes how false information gains credibility simply through repetition by multiple people. It is often used to warn others against blindly trusting gossip or unverified news. Unlike casual slang, it carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being widely understood in daily life.

Examples

jiu4謠jin4言gong2講dak1得do1多wui2會saam1三jan4人sing4成fu2虎，nei5你m4唔hou2好gam3咁jik6易seon3信jan4人aa1呀。

If a rumor is repeated enough, people will believe it; don't be so gullible.

le1呢gin2件si6事cyun4傳dou3到ci5似cang4層cang4層，zan1真hai6係saam1三jan4人sing4成fu2虎，gaau2搞dou3到daai6大gaa1家dou1都geng1驚。

This matter has been spread so convincingly that it has become a rumor everyone believes, making everyone scared.

Common phrases

saam1三jan4人sing4成fu2虎ge3嘅dou6道lei5理

the principle of repeated rumors becoming facts

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of a tiger appearing, but it is strictly used to discuss the psychological effect of rumors. It is not used to describe actual physical transformations or literal animals.