jau4 jyu2魷魚鱿鱼
Jyutpingjau4 jyu2
Yaleyàuh yú
Definition
Squid; a ten-armed marine invertebrate that is commonly used as food.
colloquialfoodanimals
How it's used
Distinguishing between 魷魚 and 墨魚 is common in local culinary contexts, as 魷魚 typically refers to squid with a more elongated body, while 墨魚 refers to cuttlefish which are broader and often used for fish balls. The term is also used metaphorically in workplace slang to describe getting fired, derived from the phrase 炒魷魚.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Shall we go eat grilled squid tonight?
This squid has a very chewy texture, it's great.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 魷魚 with 墨魚, as they are distinct species in the eyes of a Cantonese speaker, even though both are cephalopods that squirt ink.
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.
