ji3 fan2意粉
Jyutpingji3 fan2
Yaleyi fán
Definition
Pasta or spaghetti; short for 意大利粉, a noodle of Italian origin.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Shortening Italian-style pasta to 意粉 is the standard way to refer to spaghetti in casual settings. While it specifically refers to the long, thin noodles, it is often used as a catch-all term for various types of pasta served in local cafes. You will frequently see it on the menus of cha chaan tengs paired with local sauces like cream sauce or baked cheese.
Measure word
dip2碟dípExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 麪, which is a general term for Chinese-style noodles. Using 意粉 for any noodle dish will sound unnatural, as it is specifically reserved for Western-style pasta.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
