jau5 hau2 mou4 sam1有口無心有口无心
Jyutpingjau5 hau2 mou4 sam1
Yaleyáuh háu mòuh sām
Definition
To speak without thinking or speak without meaning any harm.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom describes someone who speaks impulsively or bluntly without any malicious intent. It is frequently used to defend a friend or family member who has accidentally offended someone by saying something tactless. It functions as a way to diffuse tension by framing the speaker as careless rather than cruel.
Examples
They don't mean what they say, don't take it to heart.
Related words
Common phrases
purely speaking without thinking
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is consistently rude or intentionally hurtful, as it specifically implies a lack of bad intent. It is meant to excuse a slip of the tongue, not to justify a pattern of toxic behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
