paau1 hoi1拋開抛开
Jyutpingpaau1 hoi1
Yalepāau hōi
Definition
To actively put aside, cast off, or rid oneself of something.
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
Focuses on the act of mentally or physically discarding something that is hindering progress or peace of mind. It carries a sense of intentional release, often used when someone decides to stop dwelling on negative emotions or outdated ideas. While it can be used for physical objects, it is far more common in abstract contexts involving feelings, worries, or past experiences.
Examples
Put aside your prejudices first.
He has cast off the burdens of the past.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 掉, which is the standard, neutral verb for throwing something physical into the trash. Using 拋開 for literal garbage sounds overly dramatic or poetic, as if you are emotionally releasing the trash rather than just disposing of it.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
