sam1 gon1 m4 daap3 fai3心肝唔搭肺

Jyutpingsam1 gon1 m4 daap3 fai3

Yalesām gōn m̀h daap fai

形容詞

Definition

Indifferent and lacking in emotion; or distracted and absent-minded.

unfeeling, cold, or lacking in emotion
distracted, absent-minded, or not paying attention

colloquialemotiondescriptions

How it's used

Literally translating to heart and liver not touching the lungs, this idiom vividly describes a state of being disconnected or insincere. It is frequently used to criticize someone who is physically present but mentally elsewhere, or someone who is not putting their heart into a task. It carries a slightly stronger sense of being uncaring or dismissive compared to simply being distracted.

Examples

nei5你zou6做je5嘢go2嗰zan6陣sam1心gon1肝m4唔daap3搭fai3肺，hou2好jik6易ceot1出si6事㗎。

You are absentminded while working, it is easy for accidents to happen.

keoi5佢gong2講gan2緊je5嘢go2嗰zan6陣nei5你hai6係mai6咪sam1心gon1肝m4唔daap3搭fai3肺aa4呀？

Were you not paying attention while he was talking?

Common phrases

zou6做je5嘢sam1心gon1肝m4唔daap3搭fai3肺

to work in an absentminded way

teng1聽jan4人gong2講je5嘢sam1心gon1肝m4唔daap3搭fai3肺

to listen to someone with half an ear

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with being physically ill or having heart problems, as the phrase is strictly used for mental states or attitudes. It is also not interchangeable with being forgetful, as it specifically implies a lack of focus or genuine interest.