cau3 cou2臭草
Jyutpingcau3 cou2
Yalechau chóu
Definition
Common rue; a medicinal herb used as an ingredient in green bean soup.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Commonly associated with traditional Cantonese desserts, this herb is prized for its unique, slightly bitter aroma that cuts through the sweetness of mung bean soup. While the name implies a foul smell, many locals find the scent nostalgic and essential for an authentic bowl of dessert. It is almost exclusively encountered in the context of home cooking or traditional dessert shops.
Measure word
zaat3紮jatExamples
Remember to add a little bit of rue when boiling mung bean soup.
Related words
Common phrases
mung bean soup with rue
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic weeds or other aromatic herbs, as it has a very specific medicinal and culinary application. It is not used as a general term for smelly plants.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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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.
