zi6 lau4自流
Jyutpingzi6 lau4
Yalejih làuh
Definition
To flow automatically, or to do as one pleases and let things take their natural course.
- to flow by itself; to flow automatically
- to do as one pleases; to let things take their natural course
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Often carries a slightly negative connotation of negligence or lack of discipline when applied to people or projects. It implies a hands off approach that might lead to chaos or poor results. Use it when describing a situation where active intervention is absent.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to let things drift; to let things take their own course
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the physical act of liquid flowing, as it is almost exclusively used in a metaphorical sense regarding management, behavior, or the development of events.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
