lat1 daai6 ngaa4甩大牙
Jyutpinglat1 daai6 ngaa4
Yalelāt daaih ngàh
Definition
To lose one's molars, used as a warning to children that they will lose their teeth if they tell lies.
colloquialpeoplebody
How it's used
Parents frequently use this phrase to warn children against lying, framing honesty as a way to protect one's teeth. It carries a playful yet cautionary tone, often used when someone is caught in a minor fib. While it references physical teeth, it is strictly metaphorical and never used to describe actual dental health issues.
Examples
Don't tell lies, be careful you'll lose your molars.
He always tricks people, he'll lose his molars sooner or later.
Related words
Common phrases
be careful or you'll lose your molars
sooner or later you'll lose your molars
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe real dental problems or losing teeth due to age or injury. It is exclusively reserved for the context of telling lies or breaking a promise.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
