paau3 caa4泡茶
Jyutpingpaau3 caa4
Yalepaau chàh
Definition
To make or brew tea; the process of steeping tea leaves in water to prepare the beverage.
colloquialdrinkdaily actions
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 沖茶 instead of 泡茶 in daily life. While 泡茶 is understood as a more formal or literary term, 沖茶 is the standard way to describe the act of pouring hot water over tea leaves. It is a versatile term that covers everything from a quick tea bag in a mug to a formal tea ceremony.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 泡茶 in casual conversation as it sounds overly formal or like a direct translation from Mandarin. Stick to 沖茶 to sound natural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
