zaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4集腋成裘
Jyutpingzaap6 jik6 sing4 kau4
Yalejaahp yihk sìhng kàuh
Definition
Many small contributions add up to a large amount; many a little makes a mickle.
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
Everyone pooled their money together, and finally we saved enough to buy a gift.
If you save a little money every day, it will add up and you will soon have a sum.
Related words
Common phrases
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.
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.
