wai3 lau4慰留
Jyutpingwai3 lau4
Yalewai làuh
Definition
To persuade someone to stay on, such as an employee resigning from their post.
neutralwork
How it's used
Used primarily in professional or workplace contexts when a valued staff member hands in their resignation. It implies a sense of appreciation for the person's contribution and a genuine desire to retain their talent. While formal in tone, it is frequently used in office settings to describe the process of counter-offering or discussing future prospects to change someone's mind.
Examples
The boss sincerely persuaded him to stay.
How do you plan to persuade this employee to stay?
Related words
Common phrases
to try hard to persuade someone to stay
failed to persuade someone to stay
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply asking someone to stay for a social visit, which would use 留. 慰留 specifically carries the weight of professional retention and negotiation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
