san1 gim1 sou3 zik1身兼數職身兼数职
Jyutpingsan1 gim1 sou3 zik1
Yalesān gīm sou jīk
Definition
To wear many hats; to hold multiple positions or roles concurrently.
neutralwork
How it's used
This idiom is often used to describe someone who is exceptionally busy or talented, balancing multiple responsibilities simultaneously. It carries a slightly formal tone but is frequently used in professional or casual discussions about workload. While it can imply impressive capability, it is just as often used to highlight the burden of being overworked.
Examples
He holds several jobs at once, it is really exhausting.
Related words
Common phrases
a person who wears many hats
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple verb phrase, but it is a set idiom that should not be broken up by adding extra particles or modifying the internal structure. Avoid using it to describe someone who just has many hobbies; it specifically refers to professional roles or formal duties.
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.
