bun3 tan1 bun3 tou3半吞半吐
Jyutpingbun3 tan1 bun3 tou3
Yalebun tān bun tou
Definition
To speak indirectly or hesitantly, half-concealing and half-revealing one's thoughts.
colloquialcommunicationdescriptions
How it's used
Describes a situation where someone is hesitant to speak clearly, often because they are nervous, embarrassed, or trying to conceal the truth. It implies a lack of confidence or transparency in the speaker's delivery. Unlike simply being quiet, this phrase specifically highlights the act of holding back information or words.
Examples
He is muttering and mumbling, as if he is hiding something from me.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak in a hesitant or evasive manner
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
