gu1 sik1姑息
Jyutpinggu1 sik1
Yalegū sīk
Definition
To tolerate, indulge, or turn a blind eye to negative behavior.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the negative consequences of being overly lenient or permissive towards wrongdoing. It implies a sense of weakness or lack of discipline that allows bad behavior to persist or worsen. It is typically used in formal or serious contexts rather than casual conversation.
Examples
You should stop indulging his bad habits.
Why do you have to tolerate these unreasonable demands?
Related words
Common phrases
to tolerate evildoers is to nurture them
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 縱容, which specifically emphasizes spoiling someone, whereas 姑息 carries a stronger sense of failing to take action against something harmful out of a desire for temporary peace.
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.
