min4 faa1 tong2棉花糖
Jyutpingmin4 faa1 tong2
Yalemìhn fā tóng
Definition
Cotton candy or marshmallow.
- cotton candy; candyfloss
- marshmallow
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to the fluffy, spun sugar treat found at carnivals or street stalls. It is distinct from the soft, chewy, gelatin-based confection known as marshmallow, which is also commonly called 棉花糖 in some contexts. Context usually clarifies which one is intended, as the spun sugar version is almost always sold on a stick.
Measure word
zi1枝jīExamples
When I was small, I loved buying a cotton candy to eat at the amusement park.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the soft, chewy marshmallow found in hot chocolate or s'mores, despite both sharing the same name in Chinese. If you need to distinguish them, you might describe the spun sugar version as 嗰種一絲絲嘅棉花糖.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
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- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
