jau4 pou3油鋪油铺

Jyutpingjau4 pou3

Yaleyàuh pou

Definition

A traditional grocery store selling oil, rice, condiments, and other household sundries.

colloquialshoppingplaces

How it's used

Refers specifically to traditional, small scale shops that stock basic household necessities like rice, oil, and canned goods. These shops are becoming increasingly rare in modern Hong Kong, often replaced by large supermarket chains. The term carries a nostalgic feel, evoking images of old neighborhood life where shopkeepers knew all their regular customers.

Measure word

gaan1間gān

Examples

ngo5我lok6落lau4樓haa6下jau4油pou3鋪maai5買zi1支si6豉jau4油。

I am going down to the grocery store to buy a bottle of soy sauce.

le1呢gaan1間jau4油pou3鋪hoi1開zo2咗hou2好do1多nin4年laa3喇。

This grocery store has been open for many years.

Common phrases

lok6落jau4油pou3鋪

go down to the grocery store

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a modern supermarket or convenience store, as it specifically implies a traditional, family run shop. Using it to describe a large chain store like Wellcome or ParknShop will sound unnatural to locals.