zi6 baau3自爆
Jyutpingzi6 baau3
Yalejih baau
Definition
To disclose one's own secrets, or to perform a self-destructive attack.
- To disclose or reveal one's own secrets or news
- slangTo perform a self-destructive or suicidal attack to destroy the enemy
colloquialcommunicationslang
How it's used
Originally a term from gaming and anime describing a character sacrificing themselves to defeat an enemy, it has evolved into common slang for revealing embarrassing or private information about oneself. It is often used in a self-deprecating or humorous way when someone accidentally lets slip a detail they intended to keep hidden. The term carries a sense of suddenness, as if the person has triggered their own downfall.
Examples
He revealed on social media that he had resigned.
Why did you suddenly disclose your own secret?
Related words
Common phrases
to reveal one's own embarrassing story
to voluntarily disclose information
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal act of an explosion or a bomb. It is strictly used in a metaphorical sense regarding information or social situations, not physical destruction.
Grammar color guide
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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.
