nim1 zai2棯仔
Jyutpingnim1 zai2
Yalenīm jái
Definition
Rose myrtle; a type of shrub and its edible purple-black berries.
colloquialfoodnature
How it's used
This fruit is a nostalgic symbol of childhood for many Hong Kong people who grew up near rural areas. It is rarely found in modern supermarkets, making it a seasonal wild treat that evokes memories of hiking or playing in the countryside. The taste is sweet but can be slightly astringent if not fully ripe.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
When we were kids, we often went to the hillside to pick and eat rose myrtle.
Do you remember there used to be a lot of rose myrtle on the mountain?
Related words
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Grammar guides
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