摺埋你把口
zip3 maai4 nei5 baa2 hau2
The Cantonese phrase for "shut your mouth" is 摺埋你把口 (zip3 maai4 nei5 baa2 hau2).
摺埋你把口 is an aggressive or rude command used to tell someone to stop talking immediately.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 摺埋 (zip3 maai4) means to fold or close up, while 把 (baa2) acts as a classifier for the mouth (口, hau2). The phrase literally translates to "zip/fold up your mouth".
Which one should you use?
If you want to ask for silence politely, you should use 唔該靜啲 (m4 goi1 zing6 di1), which means "please be a bit quieter". In contrast, 摺埋你把口 is a rude command.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
摺埋你把口 is informal and highly aggressive.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, 把 (baa2) functions as a classifier for the noun 口 (hau2).
How do you pronounce it?
zip3 maai4 nei5 baa2 hau2
Did you know?
- While 把 (baa2) is the classifier for 'mouth' here, it is also the standard classifier for umbrellas and knives. This subtly links the mouth to a tool or object that can be collapsed or closed.
- The verb 摺埋 (zip3 maai4) is more commonly used to describe folding laundry or closing a business, making its application to a human mouth feel particularly physical and blunt.
- Using the classifier 把 (baa2) instead of the more general 個 (go2) makes the phrase sound more aggressive and objectifying. It treats the person's mouth as a physical object to be manipulated.
Examples in context
- 摺埋你把口！zip6 maai4 nei5 baa2 hau2!Shut your mouth!
- 你唔好再講，快啲摺埋你把口。nei5 m4 hou2 zoi3 gong2, faai3 di1 zip6 maai4 nei5 baa2 hau2.Don't say anything more, shut your mouth quickly.
Example conversation
A heated argument in a crowded street.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你唔好再煩我，摺埋你把口！nei5 m4 hou2 zoi3 faan4 ngo5, zip6 maai4 nei5 baa2 hau2!Stop bothering me, shut your mouth!
- 志強 Chi Keung你講嘢咁惡劣？nei5 gong2 je5 gam2 ok3 lit6?Why are you speaking so aggressively?
- 美玲 Mei Ling因為你真係好煩。jan1 wai6 nei5 zan1 hai6 hou2 faan4.Because you are really annoying.
- 志強 Chi Keung好啦，我唔講就得喇。hou2 laa1, ngo5 m4 gong2 zau6 dak1 laa3.Fine, I'll just stop talking then.
