gwaa1 zi2瓜子
Jyutpinggwaa1 zi2
Yalegwā jí
Definition
Roasted melon or flower seeds, eaten as a snack.
colloquialfoodfestival
How it's used
Eating these seeds is a quintessential social activity during Lunar New Year gatherings. The act of cracking the shell with one's teeth while chatting is often referred to as 嗑瓜子. It is considered a snack that requires patience and skill to consume efficiently without making a mess.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
During Chinese New Year, we always have a tray of melon seeds at home.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term for 'oval-shaped face', which is also written as 瓜子臉. In Cantonese, referring to someone's face shape using this term is less common and might be misunderstood as a direct translation from Mandarin.
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.
