fong3 jat1 maa5放一馬放一马
Jyutpingfong3 jat1 maa5
Yalefong yāt máh
Definition
To let someone off, to forgive them, or to give them a break.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Carries a sense of mercy or leniency, often used when someone has the power to punish or criticize but chooses not to. It frequently appears in contexts involving mistakes, debts, or intense pressure where the speaker is pleading for a second chance. The phrase implies that the person being let off has done something wrong, but the speaker decides to overlook it for the sake of kindness or pragmatism.
Examples
He knows he was wrong this time, please let him off.
Can you give me a break and stop pursuing this?
Related words
Common phrases
to beg someone for mercy
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply letting someone go, such as releasing a prisoner or letting a friend leave a party. It specifically refers to sparing someone from negative consequences, punishment, or harsh judgment.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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).
