zaam2 sau2 zi2斬手指斩手指
Jyutpingzaam2 sau2 zi2
Yalejáam sáu jí
Definition
To give up gambling; to promise never to gamble again.
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How it's used
This expression serves as a vivid metaphor for the absolute determination required to break a severe gambling addiction. It carries a heavy, serious tone and is typically reserved for extreme situations where someone has suffered significant personal loss. While it literally refers to cutting off a finger, it is strictly used in a figurative sense to describe the act of swearing off gambling forever.
Examples
He lost everything in one go and finally agreed to quit gambling.
You still want to go gamble? You should just quit for good!
Related words
Common phrases
to swear off gambling
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase literally to describe actual physical injury, as it is strictly an idiom for quitting gambling. It is also considered quite dramatic, so it may sound overly intense if used for minor habits or casual situations.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
