saam1 coeng4 loeng5 dyun2三長兩短三长两短
Jyutpingsaam1 coeng4 loeng5 dyun2
Yalesāam chèuhng léuhng dyún
Definition
An unexpected disaster, especially sudden death or serious illness.
colloquialotherpeople
How it's used
This idiom functions as a euphemism for death or a major medical emergency, allowing speakers to avoid mentioning such grim topics directly. It is almost always used in hypothetical scenarios, often preceded by 萬一 or 有乜 to emphasize the uncertainty of the future. The phrase carries a heavy, serious tone and is typically reserved for discussing life and death situations rather than minor accidents.
Examples
He needs to be careful when going out, just in case something bad happens.
If something were to happen to him, who would take care of the family?
Related words
Common phrases
in case of any emergency
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of physical objects or measurements. It is strictly an idiomatic expression for misfortune and should never be used to describe actual lengths or sizes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
