dai1 tau4 bat1 jyu5低頭不語低头不语

Jyutpingdai1 tau4 bat1 jyu5

Yaledāi tàuh bāt yúh

Definition

To lower one's head and remain silent.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a literary tone that contrasts with the otherwise informal nature of spoken Cantonese. It is often used in narrative contexts or when describing a person's reaction to being scolded or feeling embarrassed. While it is understood in speech, it is more commonly encountered in written descriptions or formal storytelling.

Examples

keoi5佢dai1低tau4頭bat1不jyu5語，m4唔zi1知nam2諗gan2緊me1咩。

He kept his head down and said nothing, I wonder what he is thinking.

dim2點gaai2解nei5你dai1低tau4頭bat1不jyu5語aa4呀？

Why are you keeping your head down and not saying anything?

Common phrases

jat1一zik6直dai1低tau4頭bat1不jyu5語

to keep one's head down and remain silent for a long time

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common daily action, but it is a set idiom. Using it in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or like you are narrating a novel.