sap6 zi2 maa1 maai4十指孖埋

Jyutpingsap6 zi2 maa1 maai4

Yalesahp jí mā màaih

形容詞

Definition

Incompetent or clumsy; unable to do any work, as if one's ten fingers were stuck together.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom vividly paints a picture of someone whose fingers are so clumsy or stiff that they cannot perform basic manual tasks. It is primarily used to tease or criticize someone for being helpless or lacking practical skills in everyday life. While it implies a lack of ability, it is often used in a slightly humorous or exasperated tone rather than a purely malicious one.

Examples

nei5你zou6做je5嘢zan1真hai6係sap6十zi2指maa1孖maai4埋，lin4連go3個zeon1樽koi3蓋dou1都nau2扭m4唔hoi1開。

You are so incompetent, you cannot even unscrew a bottle cap.

keoi5佢ping4平si4時sap6十zi2指maa1孖maai4埋，dim2點joeng2樣ho2可ji5以gaau2搞dak1得dim6掂le1呢daan1單je5嘢aa4呀？

He is useless at everything, how could he possibly handle this task?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係sap6十zi2指maa1孖maai4埋

really incompetent

jyun4完cyun4全sap6十zi2指maa1孖maai4埋

completely useless

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is physically disabled or has a medical condition affecting their hands. It is strictly a figurative expression for being incompetent or clumsy at a specific task.