maa5 gaai3 jau1馬介休马介休
Jyutpingmaa5 gaai3 jau1
Yalemáh gaai yāu
Definition
Bacalhau; Portuguese salted cod, commonly used in Macanese and Portuguese cuisine.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Originating from the Portuguese word bacalhau, this ingredient is a staple in Macanese cuisine. It is distinct from local Cantonese salted fish because it is typically rehydrated and shredded before being incorporated into dishes like croquettes or baked rice. You will rarely find it served as a standalone piece of fish in a traditional Cantonese meal.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
The Portuguese salted fish here is prepared very fragrantly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with standard Cantonese 鹹魚, which is usually steamed or fried whole. Using 馬介休 as a direct substitute for local salted fish in recipes like 鹹魚蒸肉餅 will result in a completely different texture and flavor profile.
Grammar color guide
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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).
