saang1 seoi2生水
Jyutpingsaang1 seoi2
Yalesāang séui
Definition
Unboiled water.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to tap water that has not undergone the boiling process, which is a standard safety practice in many households. It is frequently contrasted with 熟水, which is water that has been boiled and is safe for consumption. The term carries a strong implication of potential contamination or impurity.
Measure word
bui1杯būiExamples
The unboiled water here is not drinkable, you must boil it first.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes refer to raw water in a more general or industrial sense. In Cantonese, it is strictly about the domestic safety of drinking water.
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.
