daa2 taam3打探
Jyutpingdaa2 taam3
Yaledá taam
Definition
To ask or inquire about something; to try to find out information.
colloquialcommunicationdaily actions
How it's used
Implies a sense of secrecy or indirectness, as if the information is not readily available or the speaker is being a bit nosy. It is frequently used when someone is trying to gather intelligence or gossip without being too obvious about it. The addition of 吓 softens the tone, making the request sound less like an interrogation.
Examples
Why are you always prying into other people's private business?
Related words
Common phrases
to fish for information
to sound someone out
Common mistake
Avoid using this for simple, direct questions like asking for directions or the time. It carries a connotation of digging for information that might be sensitive or private, so using it for mundane inquiries can sound suspicious or overly inquisitive.
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.
