jam6 jau4任由

Jyutpingjam6 jau4

Yaleyahm yàuh

動詞Common

Definition

To let, allow, or give full rein to, with a connotation of acquiescing.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

Implies a sense of negligence or passive acceptance of a situation that should ideally be managed or corrected. It carries a stronger critical tone than just allowing something to happen, often suggesting that the subject is failing to exercise proper control or responsibility.

Examples

nei5你m4唔hou2好jam6任jau4由keoi5佢dei6哋喺hai2街gaai1度dou6玩wun6啦。

You shouldn't just let them play in the street.

dim2點gaai2解nei5你jam6任jau4由go3個haak3客tau4投sou3訴dou1都m4唔lei5理？

Why do you just let the customer complain without doing anything?

Common phrases

jam6任jau4由faat3發zin2展

let things take their own course

jam6任jau4由baai2擺bou3佈

let someone push you around

Common mistake

Avoid using this to mean simply 'to allow' or 'to permit' in a neutral sense, as it specifically highlights a lack of intervention or a hands off approach that might be seen as irresponsible.