ling6 tau4 ling6 gai3擰頭擰髻拧头拧髻
Jyutpingling6 tau4 ling6 gai3
Yalelihng tàuh lihng gai
Definition
To shake one's head side to side in disapproval, hesitation, or refusal.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
This expression vividly describes a repetitive, side to side motion of the head, often used to signal disagreement, refusal, or confusion. It carries a sense of restlessness or impatience that a simple shake of the head does not convey. It is frequently used when someone is visibly frustrated or trying to dismiss an idea.
Examples
He asked if I wanted to go, and I shook my head to say no.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply nodding or shaking the head once. The reduplicated structure implies a continuous or emphatic action, so it sounds unnatural if used for a single, quick gesture of denial.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
