fung1 zeoi2封嘴
Jyutpingfung1 zeoi2
Yalefūng jéui
Definition
To keep someone's mouth shut; to silence someone or forbid them from speaking due to pressure.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This term carries a strong implication of coercion or bribery, often used in contexts involving scandals or secrets. It is far more aggressive than simply telling someone to be quiet, as it implies a deliberate attempt to suppress information or silence dissent.
Examples
They used money to shut me up, not letting me tell the truth.
Do you think keeping your mouth shut can cover this up?
Related words
Common phrases
to pay someone off to keep them quiet
to forcibly silence someone
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply asking someone to be quiet, which is better expressed as 靜啲 or 唔好講嘢. Using 封嘴 in a casual setting can sound like you are accusing someone of being involved in a cover up.
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.
