放水

fong3 seoi2

A generous hint.
A little less pressure.

To go easy on someone in a competition or to leak information.

Literal meaning“To let water out”

In this example, the teacher is being lenient.

A friendly Hong Kong teacher returns exam papers to happily surprised students in a classroom — The vibe Helpful hints. Generous marking. Relieved students.

Hear it in context

The teacher goes easy on the class

阿Sir今次考試放晒水。

aa3 sir1 gam1 ci3 haau2 si3 fong3 saai3 seoi2.

“To take it easy on someone.”

Translation: The teacher really went easy on us for this exam.

In a competition: “To throw the game” means deliberately losing; in this exam example, “go easy on us” is the closer meaning.

The setting

Students are happily surprised to find that their teacher gave very obvious hints before the exam or graded the papers much more leniently than usual.

Piece by piece

Unpack the expression

Tap ▶ to hear each phrase

阿Sir

aa3 sir1

The teacher

A familiar Cantonese way to address or refer to a male teacher. Here, 阿Sir refers to the students’ teacher.

今次考試

gam1 ci3 haau2 si3

This exam

今次 (gam1 ci3) means “this time,” and 考試 (haau2 si3) means “exam” or “to take an exam.”

放晒水

fong3 saai3 seoi2

Really went easy on us

晒 (saai3) adds the sense of “all” or “completely.” Here, it emphasizes how lenient the teacher was.

Listening speed

Audio uses your device’s Cantonese voice, when available. Jyutping numbers show tones.

放水

A generous hint.A little less pressure.