jip3 jyu2腌魚腌鱼
Jyutpingjip3 jyu2
Yaleyip yú
Definition
Salted fish, pickled fish, or kippers.
colloquialfood
How it's used
鹹魚 is a staple of traditional Cantonese home cooking, often steamed with pork patty or rice. It carries a strong, pungent aroma that is iconic to local kitchens. While it literally refers to preserved fish, it is also frequently used in slang to describe a person who has no ambition or motivation, similar to being a couch potato.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhRelated words
Common phrases
steamed salted fish
steamed pork patty with salted fish
Common mistake
Be careful not to confuse the culinary term with the slang usage when speaking to someone who might be sensitive about their work ethic. Also, note that the character 鹹 is the standard way to write salty in Cantonese, whereas other regions might use different characters.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
