bat1 syut3 bat1 zi1不說不知不说不知

Jyutpingbat1 syut3 bat1 zi1

Yalebāt syut bāt jī

Definition

To not know something until someone else mentions or points it out.

colloquialcommunicationdaily actions

How it's used

This phrase is a set expression used to introduce a piece of surprising information that the speaker was previously unaware of. It functions as a polite or conversational way to acknowledge someone else's revelation. It often precedes a discovery about a person, a place, or a fact that seems counterintuitive.

Examples

zan1真hai6係bat1不syut3說bat1不zi1知，jyun4原loi4來keoi5佢ji5已ging1經git3結zo2咗fan1婚。

I really didn't know until you said it, it turns out they are already married.

bat1不syut3說bat1不zi1知，le1呢gaan1間caan1餐teng1廳jyun4原loi4來gam3咁hou2好sik6食。

I wouldn't have known if you hadn't told me, this restaurant is actually so delicious.

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係bat1不syut3說bat1不zi1知

really didn't know until you told me

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal command or a negative statement about speech, but it is strictly an idiomatic reaction to new information. Do not use it to describe someone who is literally refusing to speak.