jat1 sing1 bat1 hoeng2一聲不響一声不响

Jyutpingjat1 sing1 bat1 hoeng2

Yaleyāt sīng bāt héung

Definition

To keep totally silent; to not make a single sound.

colloquialdescriptionsdaily actions

How it's used

This idiom describes an action performed without any verbal warning or sound, often implying a sudden or unexpected departure. It carries a slightly negative connotation when used to describe someone who leaves a social situation without saying goodbye. Unlike simply being quiet, it emphasizes the lack of communication before an action occurs.

Examples

keoi5佢jat1一seng1聲bat1不hoeng2響zau6就zau2走zo2咗heoi3去，zan1真hai6係hou2好mou2冇lai5禮maau6貌。

He left without saying a word, it is really rude.

nei5你zou6做me1咩jat1一seng1聲bat1不hoeng2響co5坐hai2喺dou6度aa4呀？haak3嚇can1親ngo5我laa3喇。

Why are you sitting there in total silence? You scared me.

Common phrases

jat1一seng1聲bat1不hoeng2響zau2走zo2咗

left without a word

jat1一seng1聲bat1不hoeng2響co5坐maai4埋jat1一bin1邊

sat aside in total silence

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general way to say someone is quiet, but it specifically describes an action done without a sound, not a personality trait of being a quiet person.