bong1 hau2幫口帮口
Jyutpingbong1 hau2
Yalebōng háu
Definition
To speak up for someone or say something nice on their behalf.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This term implies an active, often spontaneous intervention in a conversation to defend or support someone who is being criticized or is in a difficult spot. It is distinct from simply agreeing with someone, as it carries the nuance of using one's own voice to influence the outcome of a social situation. You will often hear it used as a plea when someone feels overwhelmed by pressure from a third party.
Examples
They are always being bullied, please say something to help them out.
Thanks for speaking up for me earlier, I wouldn't have known what to do otherwise.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 幫手, which means to help with a physical task. 幫口 is strictly about verbal support or advocacy in a social or argumentative context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
