ng5 guk1五穀五谷
Jyutpingng5 guk1
Yaleńgh gūk
Definition
The five cereals; grains and food crops.
neutralfoodnature
How it's used
Refers to a traditional cultural concept rather than a specific modern botanical classification. While it historically includes five distinct grains, it is now used as a collective term for staple food crops in general. It frequently appears in formal expressions or idioms related to agriculture and harvest success.
Examples
Farmers work hard to grow crops, we should cherish our food.
There is a bountiful harvest this year, so rice prices have dropped.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this word to describe specific modern snacks or processed grain products, as it carries a traditional, agricultural connotation. It is not a common term for everyday grocery shopping.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
