daa2 siu2 bou3 gou3打小報告打小报告
Jyutpingdaa2 siu2 bou3 gou3
Yaledá síu bou gou
Definition
To rat on someone, snitch, or report secretly to a superior.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong negative connotation of being a sneak or a sycophant. It specifically implies that the information is shared behind someone's back to gain favor with a superior or to cause trouble for a colleague. It is rarely used to describe reporting a serious crime, but rather petty office or school politics.
Examples
He always likes to rat on people, which makes everyone's relationship very bad.
Did you go to the boss to tell on someone?
Related words
Common phrases
likes to rat on people
to rat on someone to the boss
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply reporting a fact or giving feedback. It implies a malicious intent to undermine someone else's reputation, whereas reporting a legitimate issue is usually described with terms like 投訴 or 反映情況.
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.
