lau6 hau2 fung1漏口風漏口风
Jyutpinglau6 hau2 fung1
Yalelauh háu fūng
Definition
To inadvertently let a secret slip, or to deliberately leak information to test public reaction.
- to let slip a secret inadvertently
- to deliberately leak information to test public response
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This expression carries a sense of accidental betrayal or carelessness, often implying that the speaker had intended to keep the information private. It is frequently used in contexts involving gossip, office secrets, or surprise plans. Unlike simply telling a secret, this specifically highlights the lack of intention behind the disclosure.
Examples
nei5你cin1千kei4祈m4唔hou2好lau6漏hau2口fung1風，waa6話bei2俾keoi5佢zi1知ngo5我dei6哋gaau2搞gan2緊ging1驚hei2喜paai3派deoi3對。
Don't you dare let it slip that we are throwing a surprise party for him.
Did he let something slip, which is why you know we plan to resign?
Related words
Common phrases
accidentally let something slip
let someone know by accidentally slipping up
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 放風, which is a deliberate act of leaking information to test public reaction or spread rumors. Remember that 漏口風 implies an unintentional slip, whereas 放風 is a calculated strategy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
