bou3 lam1布冧
Jyutpingbou3 lam1
Yalebou lām
Definition
Plum; a fruit with relatively firm flesh of various colors and a single pit.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Borrowed directly from the English word plum, this term is the standard way to refer to the fruit in Hong Kong. While some might use the more formal term 李子, that is rarely heard in casual daily conversation. It is almost exclusively used to describe the round, imported varieties found in local supermarkets.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
This plum is really sour, do you want to eat it?
I bought a few plums to keep at home.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 李, which is a broader term for the genus Prunus and often carries a more literary or traditional connotation. Using 布冧 is the safest and most natural choice for the specific fruit sold in shops.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
