dang2 haan4 si6 zi1等閒視之等闲视之

Jyutpingdang2 haan4 si6 zi1

Yaledáng hàahn sih jī

Definition

To treat something lightly, as if it is not important.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a formal and serious tone, often used in professional, legal, or grave social contexts to emphasize that something requires immediate attention. It functions as a set phrase that implies a potential risk if the subject is ignored or underestimated. While it appears in written reports or news, it is also used in speech when someone wants to sound particularly firm or authoritative.

Examples

le1呢gin2件si6事zyut6絕deoi3對m4唔ho2可ji5以dang2等haan4閒si6視zi1之。

This matter absolutely cannot be treated lightly.

nei5你dim2點ho2可ji5以zoeng1將keoi5佢ge3嘅ging2警gou3告dang2等haan4閒si6視zi1之aa4呀？

How can you treat his warning as if it were nothing?

Common phrases

zyut6絕bat1不ho2可dang2等haan4閒si6視zi1之

must absolutely not be treated lightly

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a casual way to say ignore, but it is much more formal than common verbs like 唔理 or 忽視. Using it in a very casual setting, such as talking about a minor household chore, will sound overly dramatic or stiff.