saam1 zing1 zau2三蒸酒
Jyutpingsaam1 zing1 zau2
Yalesāam jīng jáu
Definition
Triple-distilled rice wine.
colloquialfooddrink
How it's used
Triple-distilled rice wine is a traditional, high-proof spirit often associated with older generations in Hong Kong. It is frequently used in home cooking to remove fishy odors or enhance the aroma of stir-fried dishes, rather than just being consumed as a beverage. Its strong, pungent profile makes it distinct from milder rice wines like 花雕.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
This bottle of triple-distilled rice wine is quite potent.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with cooking wines sold in supermarkets which are often lower in alcohol content and contain added salt. Triple-distilled rice wine is a spirit intended for both drinking and culinary use, and it is significantly more potent.
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.
