tau1 tau1 mo1 mo1偷偷摸摸
Jyutpingtau1 tau1 mo1 mo1
Yaletāu tāu mō mō
Definition
Furtive, surreptitious, or covert; doing things secretly to avoid being noticed.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation of dishonesty or impropriety. It is frequently used to describe romantic relationships that are kept secret from parents or society, or to call out someone who is acting suspiciously behind others' backs.
Examples
What are you doing sneaking around and messing with things?
They are dating on the sly because they don't want anyone to know.
Related words
Common phrases
to do things in a sneaky way
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 靜雞雞, which simply means doing something quietly or stealthily without necessarily implying a moral failing or deceitful intent.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
