bat1 ging3 ji4 zau2不脛而走不胫而走
Jyutpingbat1 ging3 ji4 zau2
Yalebāt ging yìh jáu
Definition
To spread like wildfire; to get around or spread quickly without being promoted.
writtencommunication
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe the rapid, uncontrollable spread of information. While it implies the news travels on its own, it often carries a subtle nuance that the information was meant to be kept private or confidential. It is less common in casual, everyday speech compared to phrases like 傳開晒.
Examples
This news really spread like wildfire; the whole company knows about it now.
How did the secret get out? Who told everyone?
Related words
Common phrases
the news spreads like wildfire
rumors spread rapidly
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of someone walking, but it is strictly reserved for abstract concepts like rumors, news, or gossip. Avoid using it to describe physical movement or people traveling.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
