ngaa4 ngaa4 hok6 jyu5牙牙學語牙牙学语
Jyutpingngaa4 ngaa4 hok6 jyu5
Yalengàh ngàh hohk yúh
Definition
To babble or mimic speech like a baby; just starting to learn how to talk.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe the stage where a young child begins to make sounds and attempt speech. It carries a warm, affectionate tone and is often used by parents or relatives when reminiscing about a child's development. Unlike simple descriptions of noise, it specifically highlights the developmental milestone of learning to communicate.
Examples
Babies are the cutest when they are just starting to babble.
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is talking nonsense or speaking incoherently in a negative way, as the term is strictly reserved for the developmental stage of infants.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
