cyu2 kau5杵臼
Jyutpingcyu2 kau5
Yalechyú káuh
Definition
Pestle and mortar; tools used for crushing, grinding, or mashing.
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How it's used
Refers to the combined set of the bowl and the grinding tool, though in modern kitchens, people often just use the individual terms if they are only referring to one part. It carries a traditional, slightly rustic feel as these tools are less common in modern urban households compared to electric blenders. You will mostly hear it in the context of traditional Chinese medicine or making specific pastes like garlic or ginger.
Measure word
tou3套touExamples
He used the mortar and pestle to crush the medicinal herbs.
Is there still a mortar and pestle to use at home?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb 舂, which describes the action of pounding or grinding using the tool. Learners sometimes mistakenly use the noun as a verb.
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.
