zok6 bik1 tau1 gwong1鑿壁偷光凿壁偷光

Jyutpingzok6 bik1 tau1 gwong1

Yalejohk bīk tāu gwōng

語句

Definition

To study very diligently despite difficult circumstances.

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How it's used

This idiom originates from a historical story about a scholar who was so poor he could not afford a lamp, so he bored a hole in his wall to borrow light from his neighbor. It is used to praise someone for their extreme dedication to learning despite harsh circumstances. While it sounds formal and literary, it is still frequently used in everyday speech to describe someone who is exceptionally hardworking or studious.

Examples

keoi5佢sai3細go3個go2嗰zan6陣zok6鑿bik1壁tau1偷gwong1光，ji1依gaa1家zung1終jyu1於sing4成gung1功laa3喇。

He studied diligently when he was young, and now he has finally succeeded.

nei5你ji5以wai4為zok6鑿bik1壁tau1偷gwong1光zau6就ho2可ji5以haau2考dou3到dai6第jat1一me1咩？

Do you think you can get first place just by studying diligently?

Common phrases

zok6鑿bik1壁tau1偷gwong1光ge3嘅zing1精san4神

the spirit of diligent study

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply working hard at a job or a hobby. It specifically refers to academic or intellectual pursuit under difficult conditions.