mang1 ngaa4掹牙
Jyutpingmang1 ngaa4
Yalemāng ngàh
Definition
To extract or pull out a tooth.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Using 掹 specifically emphasizes the physical act of pulling or tugging, making it feel more visceral than the clinical term 拔牙. It is the standard way to describe the procedure in casual conversation, especially when referring to wisdom teeth or problematic molars. You will often hear people use it when complaining about the pain or the anxiety of the upcoming dental visit.
Examples
My molar hurts a lot, I have to go to the clinic to get it pulled tomorrow.
Have you decided to go and get your tooth pulled?
Related words
Common phrases
to have a wisdom tooth extracted
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 掹衫尾, which is an idiom meaning to follow someone or tag along. Ensure the context is clearly about dental work to avoid confusion.
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.
