jin1 ngan6煙韌烟韧
Jyutpingjin1 ngan6
Yaleyīn ngahn
Definition
Chewy, elastic, or al dente; can also describe a couple being highly affectionate and intimate.
- chewy, elastic, and stretchy with a pleasant texture
- figurativehighly affectionate, intimate, or lovey-dovey
colloquialfooddescriptions
How it's used
Describes a highly desirable, elastic, and pleasant chewiness in food, particularly for items made with glutinous rice or starch. Beyond food, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe a couple that is inseparable or overly affectionate, similar to the English idiom "stuck like glue."
Examples
The glutinous rice balls here are so chewy.
Do you like a chewier texture?
Related words
Common phrases
very chewy and elastic
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 韌, which can imply that something is tough, leathery, or difficult to chew in a negative way. 煙韌 is almost exclusively used as a compliment for specific textures or to describe romantic intimacy.
Grammar color guide
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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.
