粵

有jau5心sam1無mou4力lik6

simp有心无力
jau5 sam1 mou4 lik6yǒu xīn wú lì

English

  1. (idiom) to want to do sth but be unable to; willing but unable
  2. strong in will but weak in power; it means one has the hear or momentum to getting something done, but without the required skills or abilities
  3. to have the desire to do something, but lack the ability, strength, or time to achieve it

粵語 — Cantonese

  1. 想做某件事,但無能力或力量去實現

Examples

  • 我都想學日文但有心無力,又要返工又要湊仔。

    I'd love to learn Japanese, but I have neither time nor strength. I have to work and take care of my kids.

Sources: cc-canto, cc-cedict, rime-cantonese, words.hk

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