dak1 baa2 ngaa4得把牙
Jyutpingdak1 baa2 ngaa4
Yaledāk bá ngàh
Definition
All talk and no action; boasting or making promises without taking any practical steps.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the contrast between empty words and a lack of follow through. It is a vivid, slightly derogatory way to describe someone who is loud or boastful but lazy or ineffective. The imagery suggests that the person is only using their mouth to perform, rather than their hands or feet.
Examples
He is all talk, he has never actually done anything.
Don't just be all talk, go and help out quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
only all talk
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being talkative, as it carries a strong negative connotation of being unreliable or lazy. It is not used to describe someone who is eloquent or a good public speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
