paau4 gwaa1匏瓜

Jyutpingpaau4 gwaa1

Yalepàauh gwā

Definition

Calabash; bottle gourd

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How it's used

Refers specifically to the edible gourd often used in soups or stir fries. While botanically related to other gourds, it is distinct from the bottle gourd used for decorative purposes or containers. It is frequently associated with home cooking and traditional Cantonese vegetable dishes.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ni1呢go3個paau4匏gwaa1瓜hou2好lou5老，m4唔hou2好sik6食laa3喇。

This calabash is too old, don't eat it.

nei5你maai5買zo2咗gei2幾do1多go3個paau4匏gwaa1瓜faan1返uk1屋kei2企aa4呀？

How many calabashes did you buy and bring home?

Common phrases

caau2炒paau4匏gwaa1瓜

stir-fried calabash

paau4匏gwaa1瓜tong1湯

calabash soup

Common mistake

Often confused with 節瓜, which is a much more common ingredient in daily Cantonese cooking. Ensure you are not using the terms interchangeably as they have different textures and culinary uses.