ngaau5 hau2咬口
Jyutpingngaau5 hau2
Yalengáauh háu
Definition
Chewy; having a bouncy, elastic, or firm texture when eaten.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to the pleasant, springy resistance of food when bitten, rather than just being tough or rubbery. It is a positive descriptor for textures like al dente pasta, mochi, or well-cooked tapioca pearls. Unlike the word 韌 which often implies food is too hard or difficult to chew, 咬口 highlights a desirable, bouncy mouthfeel.
Examples
The bubble tea at this shop is very chewy.
Why are the noodles you cooked not chewy at all?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using it for meat that is simply overcooked or difficult to swallow, as that would be described as 韌. It is reserved for textures that are intentionally elastic or firm.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
