lei6 toi4脷苔
Jyutpinglei6 toi4
Yaleleih tòih
Definition
Tongue coating; the thin layer or white plaques on the surface of the tongue.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the layer of bacteria, food debris, and dead cells that accumulate on the surface of the tongue. It is frequently mentioned in the context of traditional Chinese medicine, where the appearance of the coating is used to diagnose internal health conditions like heat or dampness.
Measure word
cang4層chànghExamples
Your tongue coating is so white, are you feeling 'heaty'?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the tongue itself, which is 脷. Learners sometimes mistakenly use 脷苔 to refer to the tongue muscle, but it strictly refers only to the surface layer.
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.
