hin2蜆蚬
Jyutpinghin2
Yalehín
Definition
Clam; any bivalve mollusk with symmetrical shells.
- clam; cockle; any of various edible bivalve mollusks found on the shore
- technicalbivalve mollusks in general, including mussels, scallops, oysters, and clams
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to the small, edible bivalves commonly found in local wet markets. While technically a broad biological category, in a culinary context it almost always implies the small, greyish-shelled variety used in stir-fries or steamed dishes. It is distinct from larger shellfish like 扇貝 or 蠔 which have their own specific names.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Let's go to the market tonight to buy some clams to steam at home.
Do you know where one can go clam digging?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 蜆 with 蚌, which is generally much larger and often refers to freshwater mussels. Using 蜆 to describe a giant clam or a large mussel will sound inaccurate to a native speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
