joeng4 zau2洋酒
Jyutpingjoeng4 zau2
Yaleyèuhng jáu
Definition
Western alcoholic drinks and liquor, especially wine, brandy, or spirits imported from outside Asia.
colloquialdrink
How it's used
Refers specifically to imported spirits or wines from Western countries, distinguishing them from traditional Chinese rice wines like 米酒. The term carries a slightly upscale or sophisticated connotation compared to beer or local spirits. It is commonly used in retail settings, such as liquor stores or supermarket sections, to categorize non-Asian alcoholic beverages.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
Do you sell western liquor here?
He always buys western liquor to drink at home.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to beer, which is almost always called 啤酒. While it includes wine, it is more frequently associated with higher-proof spirits like brandy or whisky in a social context.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
