nei1 maai4匿埋
Jyutpingnei1 maai4
Yalenēi màaih
Definition
To hide oneself; to keep out of sight.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the act of concealing oneself from others, often implying a desire for privacy or avoidance of a situation. It is frequently used with the particle 埋 to emphasize the completeness of the action, suggesting the person is tucked away or out of view. While it can describe physical hiding, it is also used figuratively for someone avoiding social interaction or responsibilities.
Examples
Where are you hiding?
He hid in his room and refused to come out.
Related words
Common phrases
hiding at home
hiding away and avoiding people
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 收藏, which is used for hiding objects rather than people. When referring to hiding an object, use 收埋 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
