ngaa4 tok3牙托
Jyutpingngaa4 tok3
Yalengàh tok
Definition
Orthodontic retainer; a custom-made hard plastic dental appliance.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
Dentists in Hong Kong often use this term specifically for the clear plastic trays worn after orthodontic treatment. It is distinct from 假牙 which refers to dentures or false teeth. Patients are frequently reminded that consistent wear is crucial to prevent teeth from shifting back to their original positions.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Remember to wear your retainer after braces, otherwise your teeth will shift.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 假牙, as the latter refers to prosthetic teeth for replacing missing ones rather than a device to keep existing teeth in place.
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.
