秘密
bei³ mat⁶
The Cantonese word for secret is 秘密 (bei³ mat⁶).
秘密 refers to knowledge that is hidden. You can use it in common collocations such as 守秘密 to mean 'to keep a secret' or 講秘密 to mean 'to tell a secret'.
Meaning: knowledge that is hidden (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of two characters: 秘 (bei3) meaning secret or hidden, and 密 (mat6) meaning dense, close or secret.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a specific secret, the classifier 個 (go3) is typically used before 秘密.
How do you pronounce it?
bei³ mat⁶
Did you know?
- In Cantonese slang, if someone is 'keeping a secret' in a suspicious or sneaky way, they might be described as 搞鬼, which literally means 'playing with ghosts'.
- When a secret is finally revealed, Cantonese speakers might use the phrase 揭穿, which evokes the image of ripping a cover or veil off a hidden object.
- While 秘密 describes a piece of hidden information, Cantonese speakers use the word 私隱 to refer specifically to 'privacy' or the right to keep one's personal life secret.
Examples in context
- 渠守唔到秘密。He can't keep a secret.This sentence shows how to use 秘密 with the verb for 'to keep'.Tatoeba #12086690 by thesilhouette, translation #8398306 by Amastan
- 我哋發明返個秘密語言吖。We should invent a secret language.This sentence shows how to use 秘密 as an adjective for a language.Tatoeba #6127126 by nickyeow, translation #6095102 by mailohilohi
- 佢講到好似佢知道咗個秘密噉。He talks as if he knew the secret.This sentence shows how to refer to a specific 秘密.Tatoeba #460661 by nickyeow, translation #292949 by CK
- 我有一個秘密。I have a secret.
- 這是你不可告人的秘密。This is your secret that must not be told.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking at a cafe about a surprise party.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung呢個係我哋嘅秘密。ni1 go3 hai6 ngo5 dei6 ge3 bei3 mat6.This is our secret.
- 家明 Ka Ming放心啦，我唔會講出嚟。fong3 sam1 laa1, ngo5 m4 wui5 gong2 ceot1 lai4.Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung家明，你一定要守口如瓶。gaa1 ming4, nei5 jat1 ding6 jiu3 sau2 hau2 jyu4 ping4.Ka Ming, you must keep it strictly to yourself.
- 家明 Ka Ming冇問題，我一定唔會洩漏。mou5 man6 tai4, ngo5 jat1 ding6 m4 wui5 sit3 lou6.No problem, I definitely won't leak it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “secret” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
