zou6 dou3 jat1 zek3 kek6 gam2做到一隻屐咁做到一只屐咁

Jyutpingzou6 dou3 jat1 zek3 kek6 gam2

Yalejouh dou yāt jek kehk gám

Definition

To work extremely hard; to slave away like a dog.

colloquialworkdescriptions

How it's used

This idiom vividly describes someone working excessively hard, often to the point of exhaustion or physical neglect. The comparison to a wooden clog, or 屐, highlights the repetitive, worn out, and unglamorous nature of the labor. It is frequently used to express sympathy for someone who is overworking or to gently criticize them for not pacing themselves.

Examples

keoi5佢zeoi3最gan6近zou6做dou3到jat1一zek3隻kek6屐gam2咁，zan1真hai6係hou2好san1辛fu2苦。

He has been slaving away lately, it is really exhausting.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使zou6做dou3到jat1一zek3隻kek6屐gam2咁aa4呀？jau1休sik1息haa5下laa1啦。

Do you really need to work yourself to the bone like that? Take a break.

Common phrases

zou6做dou3到jat1一zek3隻kek6屐gam2咁

to work like a dog

Common mistake

Learners often mistake the character 屐 for other similar sounding words, but it specifically refers to the traditional wooden footwear. Ensure you do not confuse this with other animal-based idioms like 做到隻狗咁, which carries a slightly more derogatory tone regarding the person's status.