wong5 lai6往例
Jyutpingwong5 lai6
Yalewóhng laih
Definition
Precedent, past cases, or previous instances.
neutralworkother
How it's used
Often used in formal or professional settings to discuss policy or decision making. It carries a sense of looking back at established patterns to justify current actions. While it sounds slightly more formal than everyday speech, it is frequently used in workplace discussions.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Referring to previous cases, what should we do this time?
There is absolutely no precedent to follow for this decision.
Related words
Common phrases
no precedent to follow
refer to previous cases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 慣例, which refers specifically to a customary practice or convention rather than a singular previous case or instance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
