zaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4集腋成裘

Jyutpingzaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4

Yalejaph yikh sìngh kàuh

Definition

Many hairs make a fur coat (idiom); many small contributions add up to sth big

writtenmoneyother

How it's used

This idiom is a formal literary expression used to describe the accumulation of small resources into a significant whole. It is rarely used in casual daily speech, appearing more often in written contexts, speeches, or formal discussions about fundraising and collective effort. Using it in a very casual setting may sound overly academic or pretentious.

Examples

daai6 gaa1 zaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4 zung1 jyu1 cyu5 cong4 gau3 cin2 maai5 lai5 mat6

大家集腋成裘，終於儲夠錢買禮物。

Everyone pooled their money together, and finally we saved enough to buy a gift.

nei5 mui5 jat6 cyu5 cong4 siu2 siu2 cin2 zaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4 hou2 faai3 zau6 jau5 bat1 cin2

你每日儲少少錢，集腋成裘，好快就有筆錢。

If you save a little money every day, it will add up and you will soon have a sum.

Common phrases

zaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4 ge3 zing1 san4

集腋成裘嘅精神

the spirit of collective contribution

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common verb phrase, but it is a fixed four character idiom. You cannot insert particles like 咗 or 緊 inside the phrase, and it should not be used to describe simple physical stacking of objects.