faat3 ngaa4 han4發牙痕发牙痕
Jyutpingfaat3 ngaa4 han4
Yalefaat ngàh hàhn
Definition
To crave snacks or something to chew on, or to describe a teething infant's desire to bite.
- to crave snacks, junk food, or something to chew on
- to want to bite things (of a teething infant)
colloquialfoodbody
How it's used
Originally describing the physical sensation of an infant's gums itching during teething, this term has evolved into a common way to describe a sudden, impulsive craving for snacks. It implies a restless, almost itchy need to chew on something rather than a genuine hunger for a full meal. You will often hear it used when someone is bored and looking for something crunchy or sweet to pass the time.
Examples
I'm craving some potato chips this afternoon.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a serious hunger or a craving for a specific healthy meal. It is strictly reserved for the urge to snack on junk food or the physical teething process in babies.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
