sai2 fan2洗粉
Jyutpingsai2 fan2
Yalesái fán
Definition
Washing powder; laundry detergent in powder form.
colloquialhomedaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to powdered laundry detergent rather than liquid forms. While modern households increasingly prefer liquid detergent, the term remains the standard way to describe the powdered variety. It is common to see it used in older residential areas or when referring to bulk-buy items.
Measure word
hap6盒haphExamples
This detergent is very powerful, it cleans clothes well.
Common phrases
a box of detergent
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 洗頭水, which is shampoo. Using the wrong term can lead to confusion in a grocery store context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
