zap1 dou3 dou1 haam3 saam1 sing1執到都喊三聲执到都喊三声

Jyutpingzap1 dou3 dou1 haam3 saam1 sing1

Yalejāp dou dōu haam sāam sīng

Definition

Referring to a task not worth doing, or an object that brings more trouble than benefit once acquired.

colloquialother

How it's used

This phrase serves as a vivid warning that a seemingly lucky find or a new responsibility is actually a burden in disguise. It implies that the item or task is a 'poisoned chalice' that brings more trouble than reward. The imagery of crying three times emphasizes the depth of the regret one will feel once they realize the reality of the situation.

Examples

le1呢fan2份gung1工jan4人gung1工jau6又dai1低jau6又jiu3要OT，bin1邊go3個zap1執dou2到dou1都haam3喊saam1三seng1聲。

This job pays poorly and requires constant overtime; whoever gets it will regret it immediately.

nei5你zap1執dou2到dou1都haam3喊saam1三seng1聲㗎gaa2喇，laa1做zou6乜mat1仲zung6要jiu3爭zaang1住zyu6要？

You'll be miserable if you get it, why are you still fighting to have it?

Common phrases

bin1邊go3個zap1執dou2到dou1都haam3喊saam1三seng1聲

whoever gets it will regret it

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal description of someone finding an object and crying, but it is strictly a metaphorical expression used to warn others against taking on a bad deal.