faa1 ziu1花椒
Jyutpingfaa1 ziu1
Yalefā jīu
Definition
Sichuan peppercorn, a small reddish-brown spice known for its numbing flavor.
neutralfood
How it's used
Sichuan peppercorns are essential for creating the signature numbing sensation known as 麻. Unlike black pepper which provides heat, this spice targets the tongue with a tingling, vibrating effect. It is a staple in spicy regional cuisines and is frequently dry roasted to release its aromatic oils before being ground or used whole.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
This dish has a lot of Sichuan peppercorns in it, it's so numbing.
When you buy Sichuan peppercorns, remember to pick the ones with a good color.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the numbing sensation of 花椒 with the spicy heat of 辣椒. While they are frequently used together in dishes like 麻辣火鍋, they provide completely different sensory experiences.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
