zi6 zam1 zi6 zoek3自斟自酌

Jyutpingzi6 zam1 zi6 zoek3

Yalejih jām jih jeuk

Definition

To pour and drink wine by oneself, or to make one's own decisions.

to pour and drink wine alone
to think things over by oneself; to make one's own decisions

colloquialdrinkpeople

How it's used

While this idiom literally describes pouring wine for oneself, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who maintains their own perspective or follows their own path regardless of external pressure. It carries a slightly melancholic or solitary tone, often implying a sense of independence or self-sufficiency that borders on isolation. It is a sophisticated way to describe someone who is comfortable in their own company.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日jat1一go3個jan4人喺hai2屋uk1企kei2自zi6斟zam1自zi6酌。

He often drinks alone at home.

nei5你sai2使mat1乜lei5理jan4人dim2點tai2睇，zi6自zam1斟zi6自zoek3酌mai1咪dak1得lo3囉。

Why do you care what others think, just stick to your own opinion.

Common phrases

jat1一go3個jan4人zi6自zam1斟zi6自zoek3酌

drinking alone by oneself

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone simply drinking alcohol in a social setting. It specifically emphasizes the solitary nature of the act, whether physical or intellectual.