saang1 laang5生冷
Jyutpingsaang1 laang5
Yalesāang láahng
Definition
Raw or cold (of food and drinks); uncooked.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to food or drinks that are considered cold in nature according to traditional Chinese dietary concepts, rather than just temperature. It often encompasses raw items like sashimi or salads, as well as chilled drinks or ice cream. It is frequently used by elders to warn younger people about maintaining good health.
Examples
Don't eat raw or cold food while you are sick.
It's cold lately, drink more hot water and avoid raw or cold food.
Related words
Common phrases
raw or cold food/drinks
abstain from raw or cold food
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with just cold temperature, but it carries a health connotation related to digestion. You would not use this to describe a cold room or cold weather, only items you ingest.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
