bou2 ming6保命
Jyutpingbou2 ming6
Yalebóu mihng
Definition
To save one's life or survive; to keep oneself from dying.
colloquialhealthpeople
How it's used
Often used in hyperbolic or dramatic contexts to describe extreme measures taken to avoid danger or negative consequences. While it literally refers to staying alive, it is frequently applied to situations where one is trying to avoid being fired, getting in trouble with a boss, or escaping an awkward social situation.
Examples
Is saving your life more important than money right now?
Related words
Common phrases
a lifesaver or a talisman for survival
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 救命, which is an exclamation used when someone is in immediate distress or needs help. 保命 is a verb describing the act of protecting one's life or position, whereas 救命 is a cry for assistance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
