lam1 zau2冧酒
Jyutpinglam1 zau2
Yalelām jáu
Definition
Rum; an alcoholic spirit distilled from sugarcane byproducts or juice.
colloquialdrink
How it's used
Pronunciation is key here as it sounds identical to the verb 冧 meaning to collapse or to charm someone. Context usually makes it clear, but note that it is a loanword from English. It is almost exclusively used in bar or party settings.
Measure word
bui1杯būiExamples
This glass of rum smells great, do you want some?
He usually likes drinking rum mixed with cola.
Related words
Common phrases
rum and coke
Common mistake
Beginners often confuse this with the verb 冧, which can mean to fall in love with or to collapse. Ensure the context is clearly about alcohol to avoid confusion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
