dou2 ngaa4倒牙
Jyutpingdou2 ngaa4
Yaledóu ngàh
Definition
Left-handed threads.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
Engineers and mechanics use this term to describe threads that tighten by turning counter-clockwise. It is essential to identify these correctly because applying standard clockwise force will strip the threads or break the fastener. You will often encounter this on bicycle pedals or gas cylinder valves to prevent accidental loosening during operation.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where 倒牙 can also mean the sensation of teeth being sensitive after eating sour food, which is not the meaning in a technical Cantonese context.
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.
