biu1杓

Jyutpingbiu1

Yalebīu

Rare

Definition

The handle of the Big Dipper constellation, or to strike.

the handle of the Big Dipper constellation
to strike

colloquialfoodhome

How it's used

While technically referring to the Big Dipper constellation, in daily life, this character is almost exclusively used to refer to a ladle or a scoop. It functions as a concrete noun for kitchen tools and a verb for the act of striking someone with such an object. The pronunciation often shifts to a higher tone in colloquial speech when used as a verb.

Measure word

zi1支jī

Examples

keoi5佢ling1拎hei2起zi1支biu1杓lai4嚟daa2打jan4人。

He picked up the ladle to hit someone.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪soeng2想lo2攞zi1支biu1杓daa2打ngo5我aa4呀？

Are you trying to hit me with that ladle?

Common phrases

tong1湯biu1杓

soup ladle

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 勺, which is a common variant in written Chinese, but 杓 is the preferred character in Hong Kong for the physical tool. Avoid using it to mean a spoon, as 匙羹 is the standard term for that.