sik6 jim4 do1 gwo3 nei5 sik6 mai5, hang4 kiu4 do1 gwo3 nei5 hang4 lou6食鹽多過你食米，行橋多過你行路食盐多过你食米，行桥多过你行路

Jyutpingsik6 jim4 do1 gwo3 nei5 sik6 mai5, hang4 kiu4 do1 gwo3 nei5 hang4 lou6

Yalesihk yìhm dō gwo néih sihk mai5, hàhng kìuh dō gwo néih hàhng louh

Definition

Extremely experienced; having seen much more of the world than a younger person.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This is a classic Cantonese idiom used by elders to assert authority or wisdom when a younger person questions their judgment. It combines two separate metaphors for experience: the consumption of salt representing life's trials and the crossing of bridges representing travel and worldly exposure. It carries a slightly condescending or defensive tone, often used to shut down an argument.

Examples

nei5你mai1咪tai2睇ngo5我hau6後saang1生，ngo5我sik6食jim4鹽do1多gwo3過nei5你sik6食mai5米，haang4行kiu4橋do1多gwo3過nei5你haang4行lou6路㗎。

Don't judge me by my youth; I have much more life experience than you.

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日waa6話zi6自gei2己sik6食jim4鹽do1多gwo3過nei5你sik6食mai5米，haang4行kiu4橋do1多gwo3過nei5你haang4行lou6路，zan1真hai6係hou2好faan4煩。

He always brags about how much more experienced he is than you, it's so annoying.

Common phrases

sik6食jim4鹽do1多gwo3過nei5你sik6食mai5米

to have more life experience

haang4行kiu4橋do1多gwo3過nei5你haang4行lou6路

to have traveled more

Common mistake

Learners often use this in inappropriate contexts where it sounds overly aggressive or arrogant. It is strictly for situations where you are defending your seniority or life experience against someone younger or less experienced.