gon1 jap1干邑
Jyutpinggon1 jap1
Yalegōn yāp
Definition
Cognac; a type of brandy produced in the Cognac region of France.
neutraldrink
How it's used
Cognac is exclusively used for the specific French spirit, distinguishing it from general brandy. It carries an aura of luxury and status in Hong Kong, often appearing at formal banquets or as a high-end gift. You will rarely hear it used in casual, everyday settings outside of social drinking contexts.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
This bottle of cognac is very expensive, are you willing to open it to drink?
They opened a bottle of cognac to drink while celebrating.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it as a generic term for all brandies or spirits. It refers strictly to the product from the Cognac region, so using it for cheaper alternatives is technically incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
