zau2 maa5 hon3 faa1走馬看花走马看花
Jyutpingzau2 maa5 hon3 faa1
Yalejáu máh hon fā
Definition
To look over things hurriedly, giving only a cursory glance without time to appreciate them.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe situations where someone is forced to rush through an experience, such as a tourist visit or a quick review of documents. It carries a slightly self-deprecating or apologetic tone when explaining why one did not fully appreciate or understand something. It is distinct from simply being careless, as it specifically highlights the lack of time as the primary constraint.
Examples
nei5你gam3咁joeng6樣zau2走maa5馬hon3看faa1花,dim2點wui2會tai2睇dak1得ceot1出ni1呢go3個zin2展laam5覽koi3嘅zing1精seoi5髓aa1呀?
How can you appreciate the essence of this exhibition if you just glance at it?
Related words
Common phrases
a rushed itinerary
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.



