jyun4 gei1玄機玄机
Jyutpingjyun4 gei1
Yaleyùhn gēi
Definition
A mystery, hidden meaning, or underlying agenda that is difficult to understand.
colloquialothercommunication
How it's used
Often used to describe situations where someone suspects a hidden motive or a deeper, less obvious reason for an action. It carries a slightly intellectual or dramatic tone, frequently appearing in discussions about politics, business strategies, or mysterious behavior. Unlike simple secrets, it implies a puzzle that requires insight or intuition to solve.
Examples
He speaks so cryptically, what is the hidden meaning behind it?
There must be a hidden agenda behind this arrangement; it cannot be that simple.
Related words
Common phrases
harboring a hidden mystery or agenda
there is more to it than meets the eye
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 秘密, which simply means a secret. 玄機 specifically implies a complex, often strategic or profound mystery that is waiting to be deciphered, rather than just hidden information.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
