gaam1 hau2緘口缄口
Jyutpinggaam1 hau2
Yalegāam háu
Definition
To keep one's mouth shut, stay silent, or keep a secret.
writtencommunicationother
How it's used
This term carries a formal or literary weight, often appearing in news reports or written accounts rather than casual conversation. It implies a deliberate, often strategic choice to remain silent, such as when someone is under pressure or bound by confidentiality. Using it in everyday speech can sound overly dramatic or stiff.
Examples
You must keep this matter a secret and not tell anyone.
Facing the reporters' questions, he chose to keep his mouth shut.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb like 唔講, but it is much more specific to the act of withholding information or maintaining silence under scrutiny. It is rarely used in simple, informal contexts like telling a friend to be quiet.
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.
