jam6 jan4 wai4 can1任人唯親任人唯亲
Jyutpingjam6 jan4 wai4 can1
Yaleyahm yàhn wàih chān
Definition
To practice nepotism; to appoint or promote people based on close relationships rather than ability or character.
writtenworkpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, specifically targeting the unfair practice of prioritizing personal connections over professional merit. It is frequently used in workplace contexts to criticize leadership or organizational culture. Unlike simpler terms for favoritism, this expression highlights the systemic failure of appointing people based on bias rather than competence.
Examples
With the company being so nepotistic, who would still want to stay?
keoi5佢dei6哋gun2管lei5理cang4層jam6任jan4人wai4唯can1親，gaau2搞dou3到sing4成go3個bou6部mun4門sei2死hei3氣cam4沉cam4沉。
Their management practices nepotism, making the whole department feel lifeless.
Related words
Common phrases
the management practices nepotism
the company practices nepotism
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.
