jat1 jam6一任
Jyutpingjat1 jam6
Yaleyāt yahm
Definition
To allow or let someone do as they please, or to refer to a single term of office.
- to allow or let someone do as they please
- a single term of office
neutraldaily actionspeople
How it's used
Focuses on the sense of indulgence or lack of interference, implying that the subject is choosing not to stop or control someone else's actions. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight compared to common verbs like 畀 or 准許, often appearing in contexts where the lack of intervention is a deliberate choice or a sign of negligence.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the noun usage meaning a term of office, which is common in political or formal contexts. In everyday speech, using it to mean simply allow can sound slightly bookish or stiff, so native speakers often prefer 畀 or 隨便 in casual conversation.
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.
