fu2 caa4苦茶
Jyutpingfu2 caa4
Yalefú chàh
Definition
Bitter herbal tea brewed from a traditional Chinese medicine prescription.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the dark, medicinal decoctions prepared by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to treat internal heat or illness. Unlike commercial bottled teas found in convenience stores, these are typically consumed hot or warm as a health remedy rather than a casual beverage. The term carries a strong association with the bitter taste that is considered essential for its healing properties.
Measure word
bui1杯būiExamples
This cup of herbal tea is very bitter, my throat feels much better after drinking it.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with standard tea leaves like 綠茶 or 烏龍茶, which are enjoyed for flavor. Calling a regular cup of tea 苦茶 would imply it is medicinal and likely unpleasant to drink.
Grammar color guide
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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.
