san1 ging1 baak3 zin3身經百戰身经百战

Jyutpingsan1 ging1 baak3 zin3

Yalesān gīng baak jin

動詞

Definition

Seasoned; to have personally experienced many battles, often used figuratively for someone who has been through many hardships and has rich experience.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

While this idiom originates from military history, it is almost exclusively used metaphorically in modern Cantonese to praise someone's professional experience or resilience. It carries a strong positive connotation of being unflappable under pressure due to past exposure to difficult situations. It is most commonly applied to people who have survived long careers or complex social environments.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做zo2咗gam3咁do1多nin4年ging1經lei5理，zan1真hai6係san1身ging1經baak3百zin3戰。

He has been a manager for so many years, he is truly seasoned.

nei5你gin3見gwo3過gam3咁do1多daai6大coeng4場min2面，san1身ging1經baak3百zin3戰laa1啦，m4唔sai2使geng1驚。

You have seen so many big events and are battle-hardened, no need to be afraid.

Common phrases

san1身ging1經baak3百zin3戰ge3嘅lou5老sau2手

a seasoned veteran

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply old or has lived a long time, as it specifically highlights the ability to handle adversity and pressure through past experience.