dak1 paang4 ngaa4得棚牙

Jyutpingdak1 paang4 ngaa4

Yaledāk pàahng ngàh

Definition

To be all talk and no action; only talking without taking any practical steps.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Literally meaning only having a set of teeth, this idiom paints a vivid picture of someone who uses their mouth to make promises or threats but lacks the substance or intent to follow through. It is a sharp, dismissive way to call out someone for being performative or unreliable. Use it when you want to emphasize that someone's words are empty and disconnected from their actual behavior.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日waa6話jiu3要gaam2減fei4肥，dim2點zi1知dak1得paang4棚ngaa4牙zaa5咋。

He always says he wants to lose weight, but it is all talk and no action.

Common phrases

zing6淨hai6係dak1得paang4棚ngaa4牙

only all talk and no action

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being a loud talker, as it specifically implies a failure to act on stated intentions. It is a critique of character rather than just a comment on volume or frequency of speech.