jyun2菀
Jyutpingjyun2
Yaleyún
Definition
Aster tataricus; the Tatarian aster flower.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Although the character 菀 is technically the correct written form for coriander, it is extremely common to see it written as 芫荽 in menus and markets. Many native speakers are more familiar with the latter and might not immediately recognize the single character 菀 in a casual context. It is almost exclusively used to refer to the herb rather than the botanical species Aster tataricus in daily life.
Measure word
zaat3紮jatExamples
The coriander here is very fresh.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the character 宛, which looks very similar but has a completely different meaning and pronunciation. Also, be aware that many people will simply use the characters 芫荽 to avoid any ambiguity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
