ziu1 saam1 mou6 sei3朝三暮四

Jyutpingziu1 saam1 mou6 sei3

Yalejīu sāam mouh sei

形容詞

Definition

Fickle, capricious, and constantly changing one's mind.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Originating from a Taoist parable about a monkey keeper who tricked his monkeys by changing their acorn rations, this idiom now carries a strong negative connotation of unreliability. It is specifically used to criticize someone who lacks conviction or frequently changes their mind or loyalties. Unlike its literal meaning in classical texts, modern usage focuses almost exclusively on human character flaws rather than actual deception.

Examples

keoi5佢fan6份jan4人ziu1朝saam1三mou6暮sei3四，zou6做je5嘢hou2好naan4難jau5有ci2始jau5有zung1終。

He is so fickle that it is hard for him to see anything through to the end.

nei5你zou6做jan4人m4唔hou2好gam3咁ziu1朝saam1三mou6暮sei3四，kyut3決ding6定zo2咗zau6就m4唔hou2好goi2改。

Don't be so capricious; once you have made a decision, don't change it.

Common phrases

wai4為jan4人ziu1朝saam1三mou6暮sei3四

to be a fickle person

sing3性gaak3格ziu1朝saam1三mou6暮sei3四

to have a capricious personality

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with simply being indecisive, but it implies a more active, annoying tendency to flip-flop or break promises. It is a harsh criticism of someone's integrity, so avoid using it lightly in professional or polite settings.