taam3 nong4 ceoi2 mat6探囊取物
Jyutpingtaam3 nong4 ceoi2 mat6
Yaletaam nòhng chéui maht
Definition
To get something effortlessly.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Carries a slightly literary or formal tone despite being used in everyday speech to emphasize extreme ease. It is often used to contrast a task that seems difficult to others but is trivial for the speaker or a specific person. Because it is an idiom, it is usually used as a predicate or in a descriptive clause rather than as a simple verb.
Examples
For him, solving this problem is as easy as pie.
Do you think winning this match is just a walk in the park?
Related words
Common phrases
simply a piece of cake
Common mistake
Beginners often mistakenly use it as a literal verb for picking up objects, but it is strictly metaphorical for tasks or goals. Avoid using it for physical actions like picking up a pen or a cup.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
