ceoi1 bo1 gaau1吹波膠
Jyutpingceoi1 bo1 gaau1
Yalechēui bō gāau
Definition
Bubble gum; a type of chewing gum designed for blowing bubbles.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Distinguish this from standard chewing gum by the specific ability to form bubbles. While many people use the terms interchangeably, 吹波膠 implies a texture that is more elastic and less prone to breaking when stretched. It is a staple of childhood nostalgia in Hong Kong, often associated with the classic round, multi-colored pieces sold in small shops.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
He really likes bubble gum and is always blowing huge bubbles.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general chewing gum, which is simply 香口膠. Using 吹波膠 to refer to standard minty gum that cannot form bubbles will sound unnatural to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Particle
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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.
