tek3 saai3 goek3踢曬腳踢晒脚
Jyutpingtek3 saai3 goek3
Yaletek saai geuk
Definition
Extremely busy, frantic, or overwhelmed with work.
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by tasks, evoking the image of someone kicking their legs in a frantic, uncoordinated rush. It is primarily used in professional or high-pressure environments to describe a state of being extremely busy or rushed off one's feet. Unlike simply saying you are busy, this phrase emphasizes the chaotic and breathless nature of the workload.
Examples
I was really swamped at work today.
Common phrases
swamped at work
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply productive or organized. It specifically implies a sense of panic or being overwhelmed by too many things happening at once.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
