tam5 tam5 zyun3氹氹轉凼凼转

Jyutpingtam5 tam5 zyun3

Yaletáhm táhm jyun

Uncommon

Definition

To run around or go in circles; to be extremely busy.

to run or go around in circles within a place
to be extremely busy running from place to place

colloquialdaily actionswork

How it's used

Originally referring to a children's game where people hold hands and spin in a circle, this phrase has evolved to describe the frantic, repetitive motion of someone overwhelmed by tasks. It carries a sense of being trapped in a cycle of busyness rather than just being productive. Use it when you want to emphasize the feeling of being scattered or constantly on the move without making much progress.

Examples

gan6呢paai4排gung1公si1司hou2好do1多je5嘢zou6做，gaau2搞dou3到ngo5我jat6日jat6日tam4氹tam2氹zyun3轉。

I have been so busy at work lately, running around all day every day.

nei5你zou6做me1咩seng4成jat6日hai2喺dou6度tam4氹tam2氹zyun3轉aa4呀？

Why are you always running around in circles here?

Common phrases

mong4忙dou3到tam4氹tam2氹zyun3轉

so busy that one is running around in circles

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the literal action of spinning in a circle, which is also called 氹氹轉. Context is key to distinguishing between the physical game and the metaphorical state of being busy.