but6 cai4荸薺荸荠
Jyutpingbut6 cai4
Yalebuht chàih
Definition
Chinese water chestnut.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
People in Hong Kong almost exclusively use the term 馬蹄 instead of the formal 荸薺. It is a staple ingredient in both savory dishes and sweet desserts, particularly the popular steamed water chestnut cake. The texture is highly valued for being crunchy and crisp, which is why it is often described as 爽口.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpRelated words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use the formal 荸薺 in casual conversation, which sounds unnatural and overly academic to local speakers. Always stick to 馬蹄 when talking about food or shopping.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
