bou2 mat6保密
Jyutpingbou2 mat6
Yalebóu maht
Definition
To keep something secret or confidential.
neutralworkcommunication
How it's used
Often used in professional or formal settings, this term implies a deliberate act of withholding information to protect privacy or business interests. It functions as a verb that can take an object, but it is frequently used intransitively when the context of what is being kept secret is already understood. Unlike casual phrases for keeping secrets, it carries a sense of duty or contractual obligation.
Examples
They signed a contract to keep things confidential.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 秘密, which is a noun meaning secret. Remember that 保密 is a verb phrase, so you cannot say 佢保密咗個秘密, as that would be redundant; instead, simply say 佢要保密.
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.
