bou3報报
Jyutpingbou3
Yalebou
Definition
To report or inform; to tell a superior or authority about a situation.
colloquialworkcommunication
How it's used
Focuses on the act of informing someone in a position of authority or a formal entity. While it can stand alone, it is frequently paired with a target using 俾 to clarify who is receiving the information. It carries a sense of duty or official procedure rather than casual gossip.
Examples
What do you need to report to the manager immediately?
He has already reported it to the police, you don't need to worry.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 講, which is general speaking. Using 報 implies a formal or hierarchical relationship, so it sounds unnatural if you use it for casual updates between friends.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
