gou1 tong1高湯高汤
Jyutpinggou1 tong1
Yalegōu tōng
Definition
Stock or broth made by simmering meat and seasonings, commonly used as a base for other dishes.
neutralfooddim sum
How it's used
Refers specifically to a clear, flavorful liquid base made from simmering meat or bones, often used to elevate the taste of other dishes like congee or noodles. Unlike everyday home cooking where plain water is common, using this indicates a more deliberate effort to enhance depth and umami. It is rarely consumed on its own as a simple soup, serving instead as a foundational ingredient.
Measure word
bou1煲bōuExamples
This soup base is cooked with stock.
Did you add stock when you cooked the noodles?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid confusing this with 湯, which is a general term for any soup, including those served as a course in a meal. Using this term for a standard vegetable soup or a dessert soup would sound unnatural.
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.



