zek3 jin4 pin3 jyu5隻言片語只言片语

Jyutpingzek3 jin4 pin3 jyu5

Yalejek yìhn pin yúh

Definition

A few words; a brief remark or a word or two.

writtencommunication

How it's used

This idiom is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe fragmented or incomplete information. It carries a sense of dissatisfaction, implying that the message provided is insufficient to understand the full picture. While it can appear in speech, it is much more common in written reports or news to describe a lack of substantial evidence.

Examples

keoi5佢zing6淨hai6係lau4留dai1低zek3隻jin4言pin3片jyu5語zau6就zau2走zo2咗。

He left only a few words and then left.

nei5你ho2可m4唔ho2可ji5以gong2講do1多di1啲，m4唔hou2好zing6淨hai6係zek3隻jin4言pin3片jyu5語？

Can you say more, instead of just a word or two?

Common phrases

lau4留haa6下zek3隻jin4言pin3片jyu5語

to leave behind a few words

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a casual way to say 'a quick chat', but it actually implies that the information is frustratingly brief or incomplete. Avoid using it to describe a friendly or casual conversation.