sap6 saam1 taai3 bou2十三太保
Jyutpingsap6 saam1 taai3 bou2
Yalesahp sāam taai bóu
Definition
A secret agent or a covert henchman.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originally referring to the thirteen adopted sons of the warlord Li Keyong in historical fiction, this term has evolved into a slang label for undercover police or secret informants. It carries a slightly conspiratorial or noir tone, often used when implying someone is watching or gathering intelligence in a covert manner. It is rarely used in professional or formal contexts.
Examples
He works over there, I heard he is a secret agent.
Don't talk nonsense, be careful of the secret agents hearing you.
Related words
Common phrases
to act as a secret agent
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the historical or literal meaning of thirteen sons, as modern usage is almost exclusively focused on the secret agent or informant connotation. Using it in a historical discussion might cause confusion if the listener assumes you are talking about police.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
