fong3 zau2放走
Jyutpingfong3 zau2
Yalefong jáu
Definition
To release, set free, or let go.
colloquialdaily actionsanimals
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the act of intentionally releasing something that was previously held or captured. It carries a sense of finality, implying the subject will not be returning to the owner or the cage. Use this when dealing with animals or objects that were under control, rather than abstract concepts like freedom.
Examples
He decided to set the fish free because he didn't want to keep them trapped anymore.
Related words
Common phrases
to let the prey escape
to let an opportunity slip away
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 釋放, which is a formal term used for releasing prisoners or political detainees. Using 釋放 in a casual conversation about a pet or a small animal sounds overly dramatic and unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
