caam1參参
Jyutpingcaam1
Yalechāam
Definition
Ginseng.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the root used in traditional medicine and soups. While the formal term is 人參, Cantonese speakers often use the shortened form 參 when discussing specific varieties like 花旗參 or 高麗參. It is frequently associated with health tonics and restorative soups in a domestic context.
Measure word
loeng2両léungExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb 參, which is used in contexts like 參觀 or 參加, where it is pronounced differently and carries a completely unrelated meaning.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
