coek3焯
Jyutpingcoek3
Yalecheuk
Definition
To blanch in cooking, or to thoroughly understand.
- to scald or blanch food briefly in boiling water
- literaryto thoroughly understand; to see clearly
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Primarily used in culinary contexts for briefly boiling ingredients to preserve texture and color, this term has also evolved into a metaphorical sense of grasping a concept completely. When used figuratively, it implies a depth of knowledge that has been refined or processed, similar to how blanching prepares food perfectly. It is a precise term that avoids the ambiguity of general boiling verbs.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 烚, which refers to boiling something for a longer period until it is cooked through. Using 焯 for long-duration boiling sounds incorrect to native speakers as it specifically denotes a quick, high-heat process.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
