ngaa4 zim1 zeoi2 lei6牙尖嘴利
Jyutpingngaa4 zim1 zeoi2 lei6
Yalengàh jīm jéui leih
Definition
Sharp-tongued and articulate; possessing aggressive eloquence.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that someone is not just articulate but also aggressive or argumentative in their speech. It is often used to describe someone who wins an argument through sheer verbal quickness rather than logic. While it can be a compliment for a child's precociousness, it is frequently used to criticize someone for being unnecessarily harsh or biting.
Examples
She is usually so sharp-tongued, how could she be bullied?
Don't be so sharp-tongued, leave some room for others when you speak.
Related words
Common phrases
a sharp-tongued person
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive trait like being eloquent or persuasive. Using it to describe a professional debater or a charismatic speaker might sound like you are calling them rude or difficult to deal with.
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.
