mok1 ngaa4剝牙剥牙
Jyutpingmok1 ngaa4
Yalemōk ngàh
Definition
To have a tooth extracted; to pull out a tooth.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of having a tooth removed by a dentist. While it sounds simple, it carries a slightly informal tone compared to the clinical term 拔牙, which is more commonly found in written medical contexts. It is the standard way to describe the procedure in everyday conversation.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to have wisdom teeth extracted
pain from tooth extraction
Common mistake
Avoid using 拔牙 in casual speech as it sounds overly formal or like a direct translation from Mandarin. Stick to 剝牙 when talking to friends or family about dental appointments.
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.
