ming4 gaau1明膠明胶
Jyutpingming4 gaau1
Yalemìhng gāau
Definition
Gelatin.
colloquialfood
How it's used
While 明膠 is the technical term found on ingredient labels, Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 魚膠 in daily life. Even when referring to the powder form used for baking, people say 魚膠粉 rather than 明膠粉. It is helpful to remember that 魚膠 is the standard term for both the substance and the culinary ingredient.
Related words
Common phrases
gelatin powder
Common mistake
Do not confuse 魚膠 with 魚鰾, which refers to the actual fish maw used in traditional Chinese soups and stews. Using 魚膠 to describe the ingredient in a high-end seafood dish would be incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
