zyun1 ngau4 gok3 zim1鑽牛角尖钻牛角尖
Jyutpingzyun1 ngau4 gok3 zim1
Yalejyūn ngàuh gok jīm
Definition
To split hairs, overthink, or get bogged down in an insignificant or unsolvable problem.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
This idiom describes the mental state of being trapped in a narrow, unproductive line of thought. It implies that the person is making their own life difficult by refusing to see the bigger picture or consider alternative perspectives. It is frequently used as advice to tell someone to stop overthinking or being overly stubborn.
Examples
Stop obsessing over minor details all the time, just relax.
It is really not worth it for him to get stuck on such a small amount of money.
Related words
Common phrases
do not overthink
always getting stuck on minor details
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simply being careful or detail-oriented. It carries a negative connotation of being stuck or irrational, so it should not be used to describe someone who is being thorough or professional.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
