gau2 coi3韮菜韭菜
Jyutpinggau2 coi3
Yalegáu choi
Definition
Garlic chives or Chinese leek.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Chinese leeks are a staple in Cantonese dim sum and home cooking, often paired with eggs or minced pork. They are distinct from spring onions or scallions due to their flat, grass-like leaves and strong, pungent aroma. In local culture, they are sometimes associated with a specific aftertaste that lingers, which is why they are rarely eaten before important social meetings.
Measure word
zaat3紮jatExamples
This plate of stir-fried Chinese leeks with egg smells great.
Do you like eating Chinese leek dumplings?
Related words
Common phrases
Chinese leek dumpling
Stir-fried Chinese leeks with egg
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 韮菜 with 蔥, but they have very different textures and culinary uses. 韮菜 is much tougher and requires thorough cooking, whereas 蔥 is often used as a raw garnish.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
