sap1 fo3濕貨湿货
Jyutpingsap1 fo3
Yalesāp fo
Definition
Wet goods, referring to fresh produce in markets, or specific live items at New Year markets.
- fresh produce such as meat, seafood, and vegetables in a market
- flowers, potted plants, and aquarium fish sold at a Lunar New Year market
colloquialfoodfestival
How it's used
Distinguishing between wet and dry goods is a fundamental way to categorize items in traditional Hong Kong markets. While dry goods like rice or canned items are called 乾貨, wet goods encompass anything perishable that requires refrigeration or frequent watering. During the Lunar New Year, the term shifts specifically to living items like flowers and fish, reflecting the cultural importance of bringing life into the home for the new year.
Measure word
di1啲dīExamples
The fresh produce here is very good, buy some to cook.
Are you planning to buy flowers or plants at the Lunar New Year market?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe liquids or beverages, even though they are wet. It is strictly reserved for fresh food produce or specific market categories like flowers.
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.
