jat1 lou4 wing5 jat6一勞永逸一劳永逸
Jyutpingjat1 lou4 wing5 jat6
Yaleyāt lòuh wíhng yaht
Definition
To settle a matter once and for all; to do the hard work once so that one is spared further trouble later.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used in professional or planning contexts to describe a solution that eliminates the need for future maintenance or repeated effort. It carries a sense of strategic foresight, implying that the initial high cost or effort is justified by the long term convenience it provides. It is often paired with particles like 囉 or 嘛 to emphasize the logical necessity of the chosen action.
Examples
Get the renovation done all at once, it settles everything once and for all.
How do you plan to solve this problem once and for all?
Related words
Common phrases
a method that settles the matter once and for all
completely settle once and for all
Common mistake
Learners often use this to describe simple tasks, but it is reserved for significant, complex problems where a permanent fix is actually possible. It sounds unnatural if used for minor daily chores like washing dishes or buying groceries.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
