siu3 bat1 gang1 si6少不更事

Jyutpingsiu3 bat1 gang1 si6

Yalesiu bāt gāng sih

Definition

Young and inexperienced; lacking life experience.

writtenpeopledescriptions

How it's used

This idiom carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in spoken Cantonese to describe someone's lack of worldly wisdom. It is often used by older generations to excuse the mistakes of youth or to provide a gentle critique of someone's naivety. Unlike simple words for young, it specifically highlights a lack of exposure to the complexities of life.

Examples

keoi5佢go2嗰zan6陣siu3少bat1不gang1更si6事，zou6做co3錯zo2咗hou2好do1多kyut3決ding6定。

He was young and inexperienced back then, and made many wrong decisions.

nei5你mai1咪siu3笑jan4人siu3少bat1不gang1更si6事，bin1邊go3個m4唔hai6係jau4由sai3細hok6學hei2起？

Don't laugh at people for being inexperienced, who didn't start from the beginning?

Common phrases

nin4年gei2紀heng1輕heng1輕siu3少bat1不gang1更si6事

young and inexperienced

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of young, but it specifically implies a lack of life experience or social maturity. Avoid using it to describe someone who is simply young in age but already possesses significant skill or wisdom.