dou2 caa4倒茶
Jyutpingdou2 caa4
Yaledóu chàh
Definition
To pour or serve tea.
colloquialdim sumdaily actions
How it's used
Pouring tea is a fundamental social gesture in Cantonese culture, particularly during dim sum meals. It is common practice to tap two fingers on the table as a silent thank you when someone pours tea for you. This gesture is said to originate from a legend about an emperor traveling in disguise who poured tea for his servants.
Examples
He is very polite and pours tea for everyone.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 斟茶, which is often used specifically for the formal tea ceremony during weddings. While 倒茶 is perfectly fine for casual dining, 斟茶 carries a more ceremonial or respectful weight in family contexts.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
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- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
