cou2 gu1草菇
Jyutpingcou2 gu1
Yalechóu gū
Definition
Straw mushroom; an edible, oval, grayish-white mushroom filled with moisture.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Straw mushrooms are a staple in Cantonese cuisine, particularly in stir-fries and braised dishes. They are prized for their unique, slightly slippery texture and their ability to absorb the flavors of the sauces they are cooked in. When buying them fresh, look for ones that are firm and have a clean, earthy scent.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
Do you like eating straw mushrooms?
Related words
Common phrases
straw mushrooms in oyster sauce
braised straw mushrooms with bok choy
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the measure word for mushrooms. While many vegetables use 棵 or 條, small round items like these are counted with 粒.
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.
