zoeng1 ngaa4 mou5 zaau2張牙舞爪张牙舞爪
Jyutpingzoeng1 ngaa4 mou5 zaau2
Yalejēung ngàh móuh jáau
Definition
To bare one's fangs and claws; to act aggressively or make threatening gestures like a wild beast.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used to describe someone who is acting aggressively or trying to intimidate others through exaggerated body language or shouting. While it literally refers to a beast, it is most commonly applied to people who are being unreasonable or bullying in a conflict. It carries a strong sense of disapproval, implying that the person is merely putting on a show of power rather than being genuinely dangerous.
Examples
He is making threatening gestures there, trying to scare people.
Don't wave your claws and flash your fangs at me, let's talk properly.
Related words
Common phrases
to make threatening gestures at someone
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
