zing6 gai1 gai1靜雞雞静鸡鸡
Jyutpingzing6 gai1 gai1
Yalejihng gāi gāi
Definition
Secretly, quietly, or stealthily.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the stealthy or sneaky nature of an action, often implying that the person wants to avoid being noticed by others. It carries a playful or conspiratorial tone, making it perfect for describing pranks, surprises, or gossip. Unlike more formal ways of saying quietly, this expression emphasizes the deliberate effort to remain undetected.
Examples
He secretly bought a gift for you.
Why are you giggling quietly over there?
Related words
Common phrases
to sneak away
to do something behind someone's back
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a place that is physically silent, as it specifically describes the manner of an action rather than the state of an environment. Use 靜 or 靜英英 for describing a quiet room or street instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
