gei1 wai4 haa1基圍蝦基围虾
Jyutpinggei1 wai4 haa1
Yalegēi wàih hā
Definition
Metapenaeus ensis; a species of shrimp commercially farmed in gei wai (traditional brackish-water ponds).
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to shrimp raised in traditional brackish water ponds found in the New Territories, particularly around the Mai Po area. It is highly prized in Cantonese cuisine for its thin shell and sweet, firm meat. When ordering at a seafood restaurant, it is often preferred over larger, farmed prawns for its superior texture.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
The Gei Wai shrimp at the market today are very fresh.
Do you like eating boiled Gei Wai shrimp?
Related words
Common phrases
boiled Gei Wai shrimp
fresh Gei Wai shrimp
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic frozen prawns found in supermarkets, as the term specifically denotes a local, high-quality variety often sold live.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
