gau2 gei2枸杞
Jyutpinggau2 gei2
Yalegáu géi
Definition
Goji berry; a red fruit used in traditional Chinese medicine to benefit eyesight and lungs.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Goji berries are a staple in Cantonese home cooking, frequently added to soups or herbal teas for their perceived health benefits. They are almost always used in their dried form rather than fresh. When used in cooking, they are often paired with other traditional ingredients like 紅棗 to balance flavors.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
Remember to put a few goji berries in the soup.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the pronunciation of 枸杞 with other similar sounding characters, so be careful to distinguish the specific tone. It is also important to remember that it is almost exclusively used as a culinary or medicinal ingredient, not eaten as a snack on its own.
Grammar color guide
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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.
