zau2 fung4 zi1 gei2 cin1 bui1 siu2酒逢知己千杯少
Jyutpingzau2 fung4 zi1 gei2 cin1 bui1 siu2
Yalejáu fùhng jī géi chīn būi síu
Definition
A thousand drinks with bosom friends are never enough; used to express the joy of drinking with close friends.
colloquialfoodpeople
How it's used
This classical idiom is frequently cited in social settings to express genuine enjoyment of company. While the full couplet includes the contrasting phrase 話不投機半句多, speakers often truncate it to just the first half to emphasize the warmth and camaraderie of a gathering. It carries a sophisticated yet convivial tone, often used as a lighthearted justification for staying out late or ordering more drinks.
Examples
It is rare for us to get together; a thousand drinks with bosom friends are never enough.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
