baak6 mai5白米
Jyutpingbaak6 mai5
Yalebaahk máih
Definition
White rice; husked and polished rice that must be cooked before eating.
neutralfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to polished rice grains that have had the husk and bran removed. While people often just say 米 to refer to rice in a kitchen context, using 白米 emphasizes the specific type of grain as opposed to brown rice or other grains. It is a staple ingredient in every household and is almost always discussed in the context of cooking or grocery shopping.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
There is no white rice left at home, need to go out and buy some.
How much white rice did you use when you cooked the rice?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 白米 to refer to a cooked bowl of rice, which is always called 飯. Using 白米 to describe a meal that is already cooked will sound like you are talking about the raw ingredient sitting in the rice cooker.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
