bou1 seoi2煲水
Jyutpingbou1 seoi2
Yalebōu séui
Definition
To boil water, or to exaggerate news and stories to attract attention.
- to boil water; to heat water until it boils
- slangto exaggerate or manufacture news stories
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Beyond the literal act of boiling water, this term is a common metaphor for sensationalism or fabricating stories. It implies that a situation has been heated up artificially to create hype or drama where none exists. When used in this figurative sense, it often appears in the phrase 煲水新聞 to describe tabloid-style reporting that lacks factual basis.
Examples
Could you please boil some water for me to make tea?
This news story is clearly exaggerated, that never happened at all.
Related words
Common phrases
sensationalized or fake news
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 滾水, which refers to the state of the water itself (boiling water) rather than the act of boiling it. Also, note that while 煲水 is a common verb for boiling water, it is specifically used for water; for other liquids or food, you would use 煮 or 燉.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
