heoi3 baat3 haa5去八吓
Jyutpingheoi3 baat3 haa5
Yaleheui baat háh
Definition
To go and nose around, be nosy, or have a gossip.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
八吓 carries a playful yet slightly critical tone, often implying that the person is being a busybody or seeking out gossip. It functions as a verb phrase that can be used to describe someone actively seeking information about others or simply checking out a scene that has attracted a crowd. The reduplication of the character 八 adds a casual, lighthearted feel to the action of prying.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the number eight. When used as a verb, it is strictly colloquial and can sound rude if directed at someone you do not know well, as it directly accuses them of being intrusive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
