Meaning:

    “封口” means to “gag someone,” and “费” means “fee.” This term refers to paying a price to stop people with inside knowledge about something from talking about what they know. The “gag fee” is paid in money, gifts, dinners or other forms.

    Example:

    A: 你昨天请假了？

    Nǐ zuótiān qǐngjià le?

    Did you ask for a day off yesterday?

    B: 我去医院看病。

    Wǒ qù yīyuàn kànbìng。

    Yes. I went to see a doctor.

    A: 可是我弟弟说他看到你陪美女逛街。

    Kěshì wǒ dìdì shuō tā kàndào nǐ péi měinǚ guàngjiē。

    But my younger brother said he saw you shopping around with a pretty woman.

    B: 你可别告诉经理，今晚我请你吃饭。

    Nǐ kě bié gàosù jīnglǐ, jīnwǎn wǒ qǐng nǐ chīfàn。

    Please don’t tell this to the manager. Dinner’s on me.

    A: 给封口费啊？

    Gěi fēngkǒufèi a?

    Are you offering me a gag fee?