gau2 hau2 coeng2 bat1 ceot1 zoeng6 ngaa4狗口長不出象牙狗口长不出象牙
Jyutpinggau2 hau2 coeng2 bat1 ceot1 zoeng6 ngaa4
Yalegáu háu chéung bāt chēut jeuhng ngàh
Definition
To never have anything good to say; to constantly say unpleasant, offensive, or vulgar things.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This idiom is used to dismiss someone who habitually speaks in a rude, insulting, or cynical manner. It functions as a sharp critique of a person's character rather than a comment on a single instance of bad language. Because it explicitly compares a person to a dog, it is highly offensive and should be used with caution.
Examples
Don't bother with him, he never has anything nice to say.
He starts scolding people as soon as he opens his mouth; he really only says unpleasant things.
Related words
Common phrases
to start saying unpleasant things as soon as one speaks
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general comment on someone being wrong, but it specifically targets the quality and intent of a person's speech. It is not used to describe someone who is simply mistaken or misinformed.
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.
