saam1 ling6 ng5 san1三令五申

Jyutpingsaam1 ling6 ng5 san1

Yalesāam lihng ńgh sān

動詞

Definition

To issue orders repeatedly; to warn and instruct over and over again.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a formal and serious tone, often used to describe instructions from authority figures like bosses, teachers, or parents. It implies that the speaker has emphasized the importance of a rule multiple times because people keep ignoring it. It is rarely used in casual, lighthearted conversation.

Examples

lou5老sai3細saam1三ling6令ng5五san1申giu3叫ngo5我dei6哋m4唔hou2好ci4遲dou3到。

The boss has repeatedly warned us not to be late.

keoi5佢saam1三ling6令ng5五san1申gong2講gwo3過hou2好do1多ci3次，nei5你zung6仲mei6未gei3記zyu6住aa4呀？

He has issued repeated warnings so many times, have you still not remembered?

Common phrases

saam1三ling6令ng5五san1申zi1之haa6下

under repeated strict orders

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'remind', but it specifically implies a stern, authoritative, and repetitive warning rather than a friendly nudge.