ngaau5 ngaa4 cit3 ci2咬牙切齒咬牙切齿
Jyutpingngaau5 ngaa4 cit3 ci2
Yalengáauh ngàh chit chí
Definition
To gnash one's teeth in anger; describing someone who is extremely furious.
colloquialemotionbody
How it's used
Describes an intense, visceral display of anger that is physically visible. It is often used to describe someone who is holding back a violent outburst or harboring deep resentment toward a specific person or situation. Unlike generic words for anger, this idiom highlights the physical tension in the jaw and facial muscles.
Examples
He gnashes his teeth whenever he talks about that person.
Why are you gnashing your teeth? Who made you so angry?
Related words
Common phrases
to say something through gritted teeth
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple annoyance or frustration. It is reserved for extreme, burning rage or deep-seated hatred, making it sound overly dramatic if applied to minor inconveniences.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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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.
