jyun4 seoi1芫荽
Jyutpingjyun4 seoi1
Yaleyùhn sēui
Definition
Cilantro, coriander, or Chinese parsley.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Cilantro is a polarizing ingredient in Hong Kong, often leading to strong reactions from people who either love or hate its distinct flavor. It is frequently used as a garnish in soups, congee, and steamed fish dishes. When ordering at a local restaurant, it is common to ask for it to be omitted if you have a strong aversion.
Measure word
fo2棵fóExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 香菜, which is the term used in Mandarin; while some people in Hong Kong might understand it, 芫荽 is the standard and expected term in Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



