baau3 hoeng2 hau2爆響口爆响口
Jyutpingbaau3 hoeng2 hau2
Yalebaau héung háu
Definition
To leak a secret, divulge information, or blow the whistle.
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
Carries a strong connotation of betrayal or accidental slip of the tongue regarding sensitive information. It is often used when someone reveals a secret that was supposed to be kept within a specific group or kept hidden from a particular person. The phrase implies that the information was meant to stay locked away, and the act of revealing it is seen as a breach of trust.
Examples
Make sure you don't leak it, this matter is very secret.
Who leaked to me that you two are dating?
Related words
Common phrases
accidentally let the cat out of the bag
to have one's secret leaked by someone else
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply telling someone news, as it specifically refers to revealing something that was confidential or meant to be kept quiet. Using it for casual information makes the speaker sound like they are implying a conspiracy or a hidden agenda.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
