am3 aa2 dai2暗啞抵暗哑抵

Jyutpingam3 aa2 dai2

Yaleam á dái

副詞

Definition

Secretly or privately; also describes silently putting in effort or suffering without complaint.

secretly; privately; behind people's backs
silently putting in effort or suffering without complaint

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

暗啞底 describes actions done behind the scenes or without public knowledge, often implying a sense of discretion or even deception. It is frequently used to describe someone who does good deeds without seeking recognition, or conversely, someone who hides their true intentions or feelings from others. The term carries a slightly informal, gossipy tone when used to expose someone's hidden behavior.

Common phrases

am3暗aa2啞dai2底zou6做

to do something secretly

am3暗aa2啞dai2底bong1幫jan4人

to help someone behind the scenes

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 暗中, which is more formal and neutral. 暗啞底 is strictly colloquial and carries a stronger nuance of being 'under the radar' or 'low-key' rather than just 'covert'.