leon4 pin2鱗片鳞片
Jyutpingleon4 pin2
Yalelèuhn pín
Definition
Scales of fish, reptiles, or other scaled animals.
neutralfoodanimals
How it's used
Refers specifically to the individual hard plates covering the skin of fish or reptiles, whereas 鱗 is the general term for the concept of scales. While 鱗片 is technically accurate, locals often just use 鱗 or 魚鱗 when talking about cooking or cleaning fish. It is rarely used metaphorically in Cantonese to describe things that look like scales, unlike the English usage.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Remember to scrape off the scales when you are preparing the fish.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 鱗片 with 魚鱗, but 魚鱗 is much more common in everyday kitchen contexts. Using 鱗片 to describe a skin condition or a generic pattern can sound overly clinical or like a direct translation from English.
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.
