dik1菂
Jyutpingdik1
Yaledīk
Definition
Lotus seed.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Lotus seeds are almost exclusively referred to as 蓮菂 in Hong Kong, especially when discussing ingredients for desserts like 蓮蓉 or 蓮菂糖水. While the character 菂 is specific to this plant part, it is rarely written in isolation and is almost always preceded by 蓮. It is a staple ingredient in traditional Cantonese sweet soups and mooncake fillings.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the character 菂 with 笛, which means flute, due to their similar appearance and pronunciation in some contexts. Ensure you use the grass radical to correctly identify the plant-based ingredient.
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.
