baak6 zau2白酒
Jyutpingbaak6 zau2
Yalebaahk jáu
Definition
Baijiu, a traditional Chinese distilled liquor, or Western white wine.
- baijiu; traditional Chinese clear distilled liquor
- white wine (made from grapes)
neutraldrink
How it's used
Distinguishing between the two meanings requires context, as it refers to either traditional Chinese clear spirits or Western white wine. When referring to Chinese spirits, it is often used interchangeably with 燒酒 or 烈酒. In a restaurant setting, it almost exclusively refers to white wine, whereas at a traditional banquet, it refers to high-proof grain spirits.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
He really likes drinking clear spirits; he has to open a bottle at every gathering.
Do you want to drink red wine or white wine tonight?
Related words
Common phrases
to drink white wine or clear spirits
a bottle of white wine or clear spirits
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 白蘭地, which specifically refers to brandy. Using 白酒 to describe brandy will cause confusion as they are distinct categories of alcohol in Hong Kong.
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.
