saang1 jyu2生魚生鱼
Jyutpingsaang1 jyu2
Yalesāang yú
Definition
Northern snakehead; a freshwater fish with a greyish-black body and white belly.
colloquialfoodanimals
How it's used
Often associated with traditional Chinese medicinal soups, especially those intended to help heal wounds or recover after surgery. It is highly valued for its firm texture and is almost exclusively purchased live from wet markets to ensure freshness. When ordering at a market, you would typically ask the fishmonger to kill and clean it for you on the spot.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Shall we buy a snakehead to make soup tonight?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic freshwater fish, as it specifically refers to the snakehead family. It is distinct from carp, which is often called 鯇魚 or 鯉魚 depending on the variety.
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.
