hau6 waan6後患后患

Jyutpinghau6 waan6

Yalehauh wanh

Definition

Aftermath; bad consequences

neutralother

How it's used

Focuses on the lingering negative consequences of an action that has already been taken. It is often used in formal or serious contexts to warn someone that a current decision will cause long term difficulties. Unlike the more casual term 手尾, which refers to the messy leftover work one has to finish, 後患 implies a more significant or lasting negative impact.

Examples

le1 gin2 si6 cyu5 lei5 dak1 m4 hou2 wui6 ji5 jau5 hou2 do1 hau6 waan6 gaa4

呢件事處理得唔好，會有好多後患㗎。

If this matter isn't handled well, it will cause a lot of future trouble.

nei5 ji4 gaa1 gam3 joeng2 zou6 hai6 mai6 soeng2 lau4 dai1 hau6 waan6 bei3 zi6 gei2

你而家咁樣做，係咪想留低後患畀自己？

By doing it this way now, are you trying to leave future trouble for yourself?

Common phrases

hau6 waan6 mou4 kung4

後患無窮

endless future trouble

siu1 ceoi4 hau6 waan6

消除後患

eliminate future trouble

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 手尾, as 手尾 usually refers to the specific, annoying chores left behind by someone else, whereas 後患 refers to the broader, more serious negative consequences or risks that develop over time.