sap6 go3 caa4 wu4 gau2 go3 goi3十個茶壺九個蓋十个茶壶九个盖

Jyutpingsap6 go3 caa4 wu4 gau2 go3 goi3

Yalesahp go chàh wùh gáu go goi

Definition

To lack the resources to cover all needs; unable to handle a situation because one is stretched too thin.

colloquialworkother

How it's used

This idiom vividly describes a situation where resources are stretched too thin to meet demand. It is frequently used in professional or organizational contexts to criticize poor planning or chronic understaffing. Unlike a simple statement of being busy, it implies a structural imbalance where there is no permanent solution to the shortage.

Examples

ji4而gaa1家di1啲jan4人sau2手m4唔gau3夠，zan1真hai6係aa6十go3個caa4茶wu2壺gau2九go3個koi3蓋。

We are short-staffed right now, it is really like trying to cover ten teapots with only nine lids.

nei5你gam3咁joeng2樣diu6調dung6動jan4人sau2手，zi2只wui5會gaau2搞dou3到aa6十go3個caa4茶wu2壺gau2九go3個koi3蓋zaa5咋。

If you reallocate staff like that, you will only end up with more problems than you can solve.

Common phrases

gaau2搞dou3到aa6十go3個caa4茶wu2壺gau2九go3個koi3蓋

to end up in a situation where resources are stretched too thin

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe being personally busy or having a heavy workload, as it specifically refers to a systemic lack of resources or personnel to cover all necessary tasks.