haa1 zi2蝦子虾子
Jyutpinghaa1 zi2
Yalehā jí
Definition
Shrimp
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to dried shrimp roe, which is a popular seasoning in Cantonese cuisine. It is most commonly encountered as a topping or ingredient in noodle dishes, such as 蝦子撈麵. Unlike fresh shrimp, it is used as a savory garnish to add umami to a dish.
Measure word
zeon1樽jēunExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 蝦, which refers to the whole shrimp. 蝦子 is specifically the roe, usually sold in a dried, granular form.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
