si1 gaa1 zing1 taam3私家偵探私家侦探

Jyutpingsi1 gaa1 zing1 taam3

Yalesī gā jīng taam

名詞

Definition

Private investigator; a private detective hired to conduct investigations, gather evidence, or tail targets.

colloquialpeoplework

How it's used

Often shortened to just 偵探 in casual conversation when the context of it being private is already clear. While the term sounds professional, it is frequently associated with dramatic situations involving infidelity or corporate espionage in local media.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢ceng2請zo2咗go3個si1私gaa1家zing1偵taam3探heoi3去zaa1查keoi5佢lou5老gung1公。

She hired a private investigator to look into her husband.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想zou6做si1私gaa1家zing1偵taam3探aa4呀？

Do you want to be a private investigator?

Common phrases

ceng2請si1私gaa1家zing1偵taam3探

to hire a private investigator

zou6做si1私gaa1家zing1偵taam3探

to work as a private investigator

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with police officers, who are referred to as 差人 or 警察. Using the term for law enforcement will cause confusion as their legal authority and roles are completely different.