lei4蜊
Jyutpinglei4
Yalelèih
Definition
Clam or similar bivalve mollusk.
colloquialfood
How it's used
While 蜊 is technically correct for clam, most Hong Kongers use 蜆 to refer to the common small clams found in local dishes. Using 蜊 might sound slightly more formal or specific to certain species depending on the context. You will hear 蜆肉 or 炒蜆 much more frequently in restaurants.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
The clams here are very fresh.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 蜊 with 螺, which refers to snails or conch. They are distinct types of seafood and are not interchangeable in recipes.
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.
