kau5 ci2臼齒臼齿
Jyutpingkau5 ci2
Yalekáuh chí
Definition
Molar or premolar; the back teeth used for grinding food.
neutralbodyhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the back teeth used for grinding food. While technically accurate in medical contexts, people often just say 後面啲牙 to refer to them in casual conversation. It is common to distinguish between 大臼齒 and 小臼齒 in dental discussions, though laypeople rarely make this distinction.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
My molar hurts so much, I might need to see a dentist.
Did you brush your molars when you were brushing your teeth?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 門牙, which are the front teeth used for biting. Using 臼齒 to refer to any tooth in the mouth is incorrect as it specifically denotes the grinding teeth at the back.
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.
