zau2 zeoi3 saam1 fan1 sing2酒醉三分醒
Jyutpingzau2 zeoi3 saam1 fan1 sing2
Yalejáu jeui sāam fān síng
Definition
Used to assert that a drunk person is still conscious of and responsible for their actions.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This expression serves as a sharp rebuttal to someone using intoxication as an excuse for bad behavior or revealing secrets. It implies that alcohol does not fully strip away one's agency or true intentions. It is frequently used to call out people who feign ignorance or claim they were not in control of their actions while under the influence.
Examples
keoi5佢waa6話zeoi3醉zo2咗m4唔gei3記dak1得，daan6但zau2酒zeoi3醉saam1三fan1分sing2醒，dim2點wui2會m4唔zi1知zi6自gei2己zou6做gwo3過mat1乜？
He claims he forgot because he was drunk, but people are always somewhat aware when drunk; how could he not know what he did?
nei5你m4唔hou2好baan3扮zeoi3醉laa1啦，zau2酒zeoi3醉saam1三fan1分sing2醒，nei5你gong2講gwo3過ge2嘅je5嘢ngo5我cyun4全bou6部gei3記dak1得。
Don't pretend you're drunk; you're still partially aware, and I remember everything you said.
Related words
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.
