sai3 sung3細餸细餸
Jyutpingsai3 sung3
Yalesai sung
Definition
Having only a few simple dishes for a meal, or having a small appetite.
- having only a few simple or plain dishes served for a meal
- having a small appetite; eating very little
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Describes a meal that is modest or lacking in variety, often implying a humble or frugal lifestyle. It can also describe a person who habitually eats very little, functioning as a descriptor for a small appetite. The term carries a sense of simplicity rather than necessarily being negative or derogatory.
Examples
We only have two simple dishes at home today.
He usually eats very little during meals.
Related words
Common phrases
to eat very little or have a simple meal
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 餸菜, which simply means dishes. Learners sometimes mistakenly use it to mean a small portion size, but it specifically refers to the lack of variety or the act of eating very little.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
