gaap3 sung3挾餸夹餸
Jyutpinggaap3 sung3
Yalegaap sung
Definition
To pick up food with chopsticks.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
This term specifically describes the action of using chopsticks to move food from a shared dish to one's own bowl or mouth. It carries a strong social connotation in Hong Kong dining culture, as picking up food for others is a common gesture of hospitality and care. When dining with elders, it is polite to use the reverse end of your chopsticks or a dedicated serving spoon to avoid unhygienic contact.
Examples
He really likes picking up food for others to eat.
Related words
Common phrases
to pick up food for someone else
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 夾, which is a general verb for clamping or squeezing something between two objects. While 挾 is the specific character for using chopsticks to pick up food, you will frequently see 夾 used interchangeably in casual text messages.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
