saan1 zuk1 gwo2山竹果
Jyutpingsaan1 zuk1 gwo2
Yalesāan jūk gwó
Definition
Mangosteen.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Mangosteen is often simply referred to as 山竹 in daily life, as the suffix 果 is frequently omitted when the context is clear. It is widely known as the queen of fruits in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong due to its delicate, sweet, and slightly tangy flavor. When buying them, locals often check the number of petals on the bottom of the fruit, as it is believed that more petals indicate a higher likelihood of having more segments inside.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
How many mangosteens did you buy to take home?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the typhoon name 山竹, which shares the same characters but refers to a major storm that hit Hong Kong in 2018. Context will always make it clear whether you are talking about the fruit or the weather event.
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.
