je4 ceng1椰青
Jyutpingje4 ceng1
Yaleyèh chēng
Definition
Young coconut; a green, unripe coconut before it turns brown.
colloquialfooddrink
How it's used
People often order this specifically for the clear, refreshing juice inside rather than the flesh, which is much softer and thinner than that of a mature brown coconut. It is a staple at local dessert shops and juice stalls, especially during the humid summer months. When ordering, you might be asked if you want the flesh scraped out to eat with a spoon.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This young coconut is very sweet, do you want to drink some?
The weather is so hot, I want to buy a young coconut to quench my thirst.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 椰皇, which is a mature coconut that has had its outer green husk removed, leaving a hard, light-brown shell. While both are used for their water, the flavor profile and texture of the flesh differ significantly.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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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.
