jat1 bat1 ngau1 siu1一筆勾銷一笔勾销
Jyutpingjat1 bat1 ngau1 siu1
Yaleyāt bāt ngāu sīu
Definition
To write off in one stroke; to completely forgive or cancel past grievances or debts.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of finality and mutual agreement to move forward without looking back. It is often used in situations involving conflict resolution or when settling accounts, both literal and figurative. Unlike simply forgetting, it implies a deliberate, conscious decision to treat the past as if it never happened.
Examples
Why don't we just wipe the slate clean regarding our past grievances?
They decided to write off all their old debts and grudges.
Related words
Common phrases
to wipe the slate clean of all grudges
to write off old debts
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to mean simply forgetting something, but it specifically requires a context of past conflict or debt that is being formally cleared or forgiven.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
