tok3 taap3 dou1 jing1 sing4托塔都應承托塔都应承
Jyutpingtok3 taap3 dou1 jing1 sing4
Yaletok taap dōu yīng sìhng
Definition
To promise anything easily and lightly, with little intention or ability to follow through.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This expression paints a vivid picture of someone overcommitting to the point of absurdity, like agreeing to carry a heavy pagoda. It is typically used to criticize people who are unreliable or prone to bragging about their capabilities. The tone is often one of frustration or skepticism toward someone who prioritizes sounding agreeable over being realistic.
Examples
He always makes empty promises and ends up failing to deliver.
Don't promise everything so lightly, what will you do if you can't handle it later?
Related words
Common phrases
to make empty promises
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply busy or forgetful. It specifically targets the act of making a promise without the intention or capacity to follow through, implying a lack of integrity or foresight.
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.
