waai4 jau4懷柔怀柔
Jyutpingwaai4 jau4
Yalewàaih yàuh
Definition
To use conciliatory or pacifying measures to win over and control people.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This term carries a slightly manipulative undertone, as it implies that the kindness or softness shown is a strategic move to gain control rather than genuine benevolence. It is frequently used in political or corporate contexts to describe policies that aim to pacify opposition. While it can describe personal interactions, it often sounds formal or calculated when applied to individual behavior.
Examples
He used conciliatory methods to handle this matter.
Why do you have to be so conciliatory towards him?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simple kindness or politeness, but it specifically implies a power dynamic where the person being 'soft' is actually trying to manage or subdue the other party.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
