keoi1 gam3拘禁
Jyutpingkeoi1 gam3
Yalekēui gam
Definition
To imprison, detain, or deprive someone of their physical freedom.
writtenother
How it's used
This term carries a formal and legalistic tone, often appearing in news reports or official documents regarding criminal justice. In everyday casual conversation, people are much more likely to use phrases like 鎖住 or 困住 to describe someone being held against their will.
Examples
He was detained by the police because he broke the law.
Why are you detaining that person inside the room?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this word in informal contexts where it sounds overly stiff or dramatic, such as when describing being stuck in traffic or waiting for a friend. It is strictly reserved for situations involving the deprivation of liberty or legal detention.
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.
