jau3 ngaa4幼芽

Jyutpingjau3 ngaa4

Yaleyau ngàh

Definition

Buds, sprouts, or young shoots of a plant.

neutralnature

How it's used

Refers specifically to the tender, early stage of plant growth. While it is the standard term for botanical sprouts, it is often used metaphorically to describe the beginning of a new idea or a budding relationship. It carries a delicate and fresh connotation compared to more general terms for plant parts.

Measure word

tiu4條tìuh

Examples

pun4盆zoi1栽saang1生zo2咗hou2好do1多jau3幼ngaa4芽ceot1出lai4嚟。

The potted plant has sprouted many new buds.

nei5你tai2睇haa6下go2嗰syu6樹jau5有mou5冇jau3幼ngaa4芽aa4呀？

Take a look, does that tree have any sprouts?

Common phrases

zoeng2長ceot1出jau3幼ngaa4芽

to sprout

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with 芽菜, which specifically refers to bean sprouts used as a food ingredient. Use 幼芽 for biological growth on plants, but stick to 芽菜 when talking about the vegetable in a kitchen context.