zik1 lou4 sing4 zat6積勞成疾积劳成疾
Jyutpingzik1 lou4 sing4 zat6
Yalejīk lòuh sìhng jaht
Definition
To fall ill from constant overwork.
neutralworkhealth
How it's used
This idiom carries a cautionary tone, often used by friends or family to warn someone who is neglecting their health for the sake of their career. It implies a gradual decline in health rather than a sudden illness. It is formal in origin but frequently used in daily speech to describe the physical toll of a high pressure work culture.
Examples
He works overtime all the time, he really has fallen ill from overwork.
Don't push yourself so hard, be careful not to get sick from overworking.
Related words
Common phrases
excessive workload
the body cannot take it anymore
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a sudden injury or an acute illness caused by a specific event. It specifically refers to health issues that develop over a long period of time due to persistent stress or exhaustion.
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.
