muk6 jyu2木魚木鱼
Jyutpingmuk6 jyu2
Yalemuhk yú
Definition
Wooden fish, which can refer to dried bonito flakes, a Buddhist temple block, or a Cantonese folk song genre.
- katsuobushi; dried and smoked skipjack tuna flakes
- wooden fish; a hollow wooden percussion instrument used in Buddhist rituals
- wooden-fish songs; a traditional genre of Cantonese narrative folk music
neutralfoodother
How it's used
Distinguishing between the two meanings relies entirely on context, as the word refers to both a Buddhist ritual instrument and a common Japanese food ingredient. When referring to the instrument, it is often associated with the rhythmic sound of chanting in temples. When referring to the food, it is almost always found in the form of thin shavings, known as 木魚絲, used as a topping for various dishes.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The master is hitting the wooden fish while chanting scriptures.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the Buddhist instrument with the food ingredient because they share the same name. Always add 絲 after the word when referring to the edible bonito flakes to avoid confusion with the temple instrument.
Grammar color guide
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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.
