cau3 seng1臭腥
Jyutpingcau3 seng1
Yalechau sēng
Definition
Having a smelly, rank, or fishy odor.
colloquialfooddescriptions
How it's used
Specifically describes the pungent, metallic, or fishy odor associated with raw seafood or blood. While it can be used for other unpleasant smells, it is most evocative when referring to the lingering scent of fish or meat that has not been cleaned properly. It carries a stronger, more visceral connotation than the generic 臭.
Examples
This shirt smells really fishy, take it to be washed quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe bad smells in general, such as garbage or body odor, as it specifically implies a fishy or raw protein smell.
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.
