sik6 zi6 gei2食自己

Jyutpingsik6 zi6 gei2

Yalesihk jih géi

動詞

Definition

To fend for oneself and rely on one's own resources without depending on others.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

Carries a slightly cynical or resigned tone, implying that external support is unavailable and one must rely solely on personal resources. It is frequently used when describing situations where one is left to handle chores, financial needs, or career challenges without any help from family or colleagues.

Examples

uk1屋kei2企mou5冇jan4人zyu2煮faan6飯，gam1今maan5晚wai4唯jau5有sik6食zi6自gei2己laa3喇。

Nobody is cooking at home, so I have to fend for myself tonight.

nei5你dou1都m4唔sai3細go3個laa3喇，zou6做je5嘢jiu3要hok6學sik1識sik6食zi6自gei2己aa4呀。

You are not a kid anymore, you need to learn to look after yourself when working.

Common phrases

wai4唯jau5有sik6食zi6自gei2己

have no choice but to fend for oneself

hok6學sik1識sik6食zi6自gei2己

learn to fend for oneself

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with literally eating oneself, as it is strictly a metaphorical expression for self-reliance. It is also not used to describe eating alone at a restaurant, which is better expressed as 一個人食飯.