m4 ceot1 seng1唔出聲唔出声
Jyutpingm4 ceot1 seng1
Yalem̀h chēut sēng
Definition
To keep quiet, stay silent, or not speak up.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This phrase is used to describe someone who is quiet, reserved, or choosing not to speak in a specific situation. It often carries a nuance of being unresponsive or withholding information, rather than just being naturally introverted. It is frequently used to ask someone why they are being unusually quiet.
Examples
He is always silent, as if he is very unhappy.
Why are you staying silent? Are you not feeling well?
Related words
Common phrases
stay silent the whole time
pretend to be silent
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 靜, which describes a state of quietness in an environment. 唔出聲 specifically refers to the act of a person choosing not to speak.
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.
