hau6 lou6後路后路
Jyutpinghau6 lou6
Yalehauh louh
Definition
An escape route, backup plan, or path of retreat in case of failure.
colloquialother
How it's used
Often used in the context of negotiations or high stakes decision making to describe a contingency plan. It implies a strategic withdrawal or a safety net that prevents total failure. It is frequently paired with the verb 留 to emphasize the act of creating or preserving this option.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
You need to know how to leave yourself an escape route in life.
You have no way out now, you must win.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of a road located behind a building or property. In everyday speech, it is almost exclusively used metaphorically to refer to a backup plan or an exit strategy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
