gou1糕
Jyutpinggou1
Yalegōu
Definition
Cake, pudding, or pastry; any soft, solid food made from starch, water, and flavorings that is baked or steamed.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Refers specifically to dense, steamed or baked starch-based foods rather than light, fluffy Western-style sponges. While it covers many traditional Chinese savory and sweet items, it is also used as a suffix for modern Western desserts like 芝士蛋糕. The texture is typically chewy or firm compared to the airy nature of a standard cake.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
This piece of turnip cake is delicious.
Do you like eating rice cake?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 餅, which generally refers to biscuits, cookies, or flat pastries. Using 糕 for a cookie would sound very strange to a native speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
