baak6 faan6 jyu4白飯魚白饭鱼

Jyutpingbaak6 faan6 jyu4

Yalebaahk faahn yùh

Definition

Noodlefish, or a nickname for a type of white canvas shoes.

noodlefish; a small, edible white freshwater fish
slangwhite canvas shoes

colloquialfoodclothing

How it's used

This term is a classic example of how Cantonese uses visual metaphors to name everyday objects. While it refers to a specific type of small fish, it is arguably more common in modern Hong Kong as a slang term for cheap, thin white canvas shoes. Because these shoes offer almost no arch support or protection, the term often carries a slightly nostalgic or dismissive connotation regarding their lack of quality.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

gam1今maan5晚uk1屋kei2企sik6食baak6白faan6飯jyu2魚caau2炒daan2蛋aa4呀。

We are having stir-fried noodlefish with eggs at home tonight.

nei5你zung6仲zoek6着ne1呢deoi3對baak6白faan6飯jyu2魚faan1返hok6學me1咩？

Are you still wearing those white canvas shoes to school?

Common phrases

baak6白faan6飯jyu2魚caau2炒daan2蛋

stir-fried noodlefish with eggs

zoek6着baak6白faan6飯jyu2魚

to wear white canvas shoes

Common mistake

Be aware that the context determines whether you are talking about dinner or footwear. If someone asks if you want to eat 白飯魚, they are definitely not offering you a pair of shoes.