tung4 toi4 sik6 faan6, gok3 zi6 sau1 hang6同檯食飯，各自修行同台食饭，各自修行

Jyutpingtung4 toi4 sik6 faan6, gok3 zi6 sau1 hang6

Yaletùhng tòih sihk faan6, gok jih sāu hahng

Definition

Together but apart; describing people who are in the same group but have their own individual thoughts and paths.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom captures the reality of modern social dynamics where individuals maintain a shared space while remaining emotionally or ideologically distant. It is frequently used to describe strained relationships, office politics, or families where members have drifted apart despite living under the same roof. The tone is often resigned or cynical, highlighting a lack of genuine intimacy.

Examples

ngo5我dei6哋tung4同sik6食faan6飯，gok3各zi6自sau1修hang6行，m4唔hou2好man6問gam3咁do1多laa1啦。

We are together but apart, so don't ask so many questions.

keoi5佢dei6哋ping4平si4時tung4同sik6食faan6飯，gok3各zi6自sau1修hang6行，bin1邊jau5有mat1乜je5嘢gaau1交lau4流aa4呀？

They usually just coexist without real connection, how could there be any communication?

Common phrases

tung4同sik6食faan6飯

eating at the same table

gok3各zi6自sau1修hang6行

each on their own path

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of dining habits. It is a metaphorical expression about interpersonal relationships, not a comment on how people actually eat their meals.