ngaa4 ji1牙醫牙医
Jyutpingngaa4 ji1
Yalengàh yī
Definition
Dentist; a professional who treats diseases of the teeth and mouth.
colloquialpeoplehealth
How it's used
People in Hong Kong almost always use the verb 睇 before 牙醫 when talking about visiting one. While 牙醫 refers to the professional, the act of going to the clinic is often referred to as 睇牙. It is common to hear people express anxiety about visiting the dentist, as the sound of the drill is a frequent topic of complaint.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
I have to see the dentist this afternoon, I am not free to accompany you.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 牙醫 with 牙科, which refers to the department or the field of dentistry rather than the person. Use 牙醫 when talking about the doctor themselves, and 牙科診所 when referring to the clinic.
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.
