ji5 jat6 doi6 lou4以逸待勞以逸待劳
Jyutpingji5 jat6 doi6 lou4
Yaleyíh yaht doih lòuh
Definition
To conserve one's energy and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out before attacking.
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How it's used
Originating from Sun Tzu's Art of War, this idiom describes a strategic approach of conserving energy while waiting for an opponent to become exhausted. It is often used in business or competitive contexts to justify a patient, non-aggressive stance. Unlike simple waiting, it implies a calculated decision to let the other party wear themselves out before taking action.
Examples
Let's wait at our ease and let them sort it out themselves first.
Why are you in such a rush? Isn't it better to wait for the right moment?
Related words
Common phrases
adopt a strategy of waiting at one's ease
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simply being lazy or procrastinating. It specifically requires the intent of gaining a tactical advantage through patience, rather than just avoiding work.
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.
