nei4 hau4 tou4獼猴桃猕猴桃
Jyutpingnei4 hau4 tou4
Yalenèih hàuh tòuh
Definition
Kiwifruit; Chinese gooseberry.
writtenfood
How it's used
Using 獼猴桃 in daily Hong Kong life sounds distinctly formal or academic, as it is the standard term in Mainland China. Most locals will look at you with confusion or recognize it only as a written term if you do not use 奇異果. Stick to 奇異果 for all grocery shopping and casual conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
This kiwifruit is very sour.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 獼猴桃 because they see it in textbooks or dictionaries, but it is not part of the natural spoken lexicon in Hong Kong. Using it in a fruit stall will make you sound like you are reading from a dictionary rather than speaking to a vendor.
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.
