ngaau5 ji5 zai2咬耳仔
Jyutpingngaau5 ji5 zai2
Yalengáauh yíh jái
Definition
To whisper in someone's ear; to talk secretly to someone so others cannot hear.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This expression captures the visual image of leaning in close to someone's ear to share a secret. It is almost always used to imply that the conversation is private, gossipy, or potentially exclusionary to others nearby. While it literally translates to biting ears, it is never used to describe actual physical biting.
Examples
What are you two whispering about over there?
They walked to the side to whisper to each other.
Related words
Common phrases
whispering to each other
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe whispering in a formal or neutral context, such as whispering an answer to a teacher or a quiet reminder in a library. It specifically carries a connotation of secrecy or gossip.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
