ngaa4 cim1牙簽牙签
Jyutpingngaa4 cim1
Yalengàh chīm
Definition
Toothpick; a small stick of wood or plastic used for cleaning teeth.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Using a toothpick in public is common in casual dining settings like cha chaan tengs, but it is considered polite to cover your mouth with your hand while doing so. The word is strictly for the object itself, and you will rarely hear it used metaphorically in daily speech.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
Did you use a toothpick to pick your teeth after eating?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use the wrong measure word. Remember that thin, stick-like objects use 支, not 個.
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.
