fu2 gwaa1苦瓜

Jyutpingfu2 gwaa1

Yalefú gwā

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Bitter melon or bitter gourd; a vegetable with a wrinkled surface, white or green skin, and a bitter yet sweet taste.

colloquialfood

How it's used

Bitter melon is a staple in Cantonese home cooking, often valued for its cooling properties in traditional Chinese medicine. It is frequently paired with fermented black beans, known as 豆豉, to balance its intense bitterness with a savory, salty kick. Many locals believe that eating it regularly helps clear internal heat, especially during the humid summer months.

Measure word

tiu4條tìuh

Examples

ngo5我aa3阿maa5媽zeoi3最zung1鍾ji3意bou1煲fu2苦gwaa1瓜paai4排gwat1骨tong1湯。

My mom loves to make bitter melon and pork rib soup the most.

nei5你sik6食m4唔sik6食dak1得gwaan3慣fu2苦gwaa1瓜aa4呀？

Are you used to eating bitter melon?

Common phrases

fu2苦gwaa1瓜paai4排gwat1骨tong1湯

bitter melon and pork rib soup

si6豉zap1汁fu2苦gwaa1瓜

bitter melon with fermented black beans

Common mistake

Beginners often mistake the bitterness for being spoiled or bad quality, but the bitterness is the intended flavor profile. Do not confuse it with other gourds like 冬瓜, which has a mild, neutral taste.