zi6 loeng6自量

Jyutpingzi6 loeng6

Yalejih leuhng

Uncommon

Definition

To estimate one's own ability; to know one's own capabilities and limits.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Often used in the negative form 唔識自量 to criticize someone for being overconfident or biting off more than they can chew. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight despite being used in spoken Cantonese, so it is frequently heard in advice or when critiquing someone's poor judgment.

Examples

nei5你zou6做je5嘢jiu3要sik1識zi6自loeng6量，m4唔hou2好joeng6樣joeng6樣dou1都laam5攬saai3晒soeng5上san1身。

You need to know your limits when working, don't take everything on yourself.

keoi5佢jyun4完cyun4全m4唔sik1識zi6自loeng6量，ging2竟jin4然tiu1挑zin3戰ni1呢go3個gou1高naan4難dou6度jam6任mou6務。

He has no sense of his own limits, actually challenging this high-difficulty task.

Common phrases

m4唔sik1識zi6自loeng6量

to lack self-awareness of one's limits

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 自量力, which is a common idiom but often used in the phrase 不自量力 to describe someone who overestimates their own strength. Using 自量 on its own as a verb is more about the act of self-reflection regarding one's capacity.