jam2 zau2飲酒饮酒
Jyutpingjam2 zau2
Yaleyám jáu
Definition
To drink alcohol; to have a drink, often as a social activity with friends.
colloquialdrinkdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal act of consuming alcohol, this term frequently functions as a social shorthand for going out to bars or clubs to socialize. It implies an activity meant for bonding or unwinding rather than just the intake of liquid. When someone invites you to 飲酒, they are often proposing a social outing rather than just asking if you are thirsty.
Examples
Shall we go for a drink tonight?
Related words
Common phrases
to have a drink with friends
to drink and make merry
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 飲茶, which specifically refers to the cultural practice of eating dim sum and drinking tea. Using 飲酒 to mean having a casual drink at a cafe or restaurant is incorrect as it strictly implies alcoholic beverages.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
