haai5 jim2蟹厴蟹厣
Jyutpinghaai5 jim2
Yaleháaih yím
Definition
The abdomen of a crab; the thin shell on the underside of a crab.
colloquialfoodanimals
How it's used
Distinguishing between male and female crabs is a common practice in Hong Kong, and the shape of the abdomen is the primary indicator. A narrow, pointed abdomen indicates a male, while a wide, rounded one indicates a female. This term is almost exclusively used in the context of eating or selecting crabs, particularly during the autumn season when hairy crabs are popular.
Measure word
faai3塊faiExamples
Remember to remove the crab's abdomen before eating hairy crab.
Related words
Common phrases
remove the crab's abdomen
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the abdomen with the shell itself. Remember that the shell is the carapace, while this specific term refers only to the flap on the underside.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
