jam2飮
Jyutpingjam2
Yaleyám
Definition
To drink or swallow liquids.
colloquialdrink
How it's used
Use 飲 for almost all liquid consumption, including tea, coffee, and soup. When referring to alcohol, it is common to use 飲酒 or just 飲 as a shorthand for drinking alcohol in social contexts. It is rarely used for swallowing pills or medicine, where 食 is preferred instead.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 飲 for taking medicine, but Cantonese speakers use 食 for anything that involves swallowing solid or semi-solid items, including medicine and soup with ingredients.
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.
