sam1 tau4 gou1心頭高心头高
Jyutpingsam1 tau4 gou1
Yalesām tàuh gōu
Definition
Ambitious and setting one's goals too high, or having expectations that are difficult to meet.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the gap between one's high standards and reality, often implying that the person is being unrealistic or picky. It is frequently used to describe someone who is difficult to please in romantic relationships or job hunting. The phrase carries a slightly critical tone, suggesting that the person should lower their expectations to avoid disappointment.
Examples
They have such high expectations, who would ever hire them?
With your standards set so high, how will you find a suitable partner?
Related words
Common phrases
expectations are higher than the sky
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being ambitious or having high goals. It carries a negative connotation of being overly idealistic or impractical, whereas words like 有志氣 are used for positive ambition.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
