sau6 baau1壽包寿包
Jyutpingsau6 baau1
Yalesauh bāau
Definition
A Chinese steamed bun with lotus seed paste filling, dyed red and printed with the character for longevity, eaten at post-funeral feasts.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
These buns are iconic symbols of longevity and are essential at birthday celebrations for the elderly. While they are often associated with funeral meals, they are primarily celebratory items meant to wish the recipient a long life. The red coloring and the character 壽 are key features that distinguish them from regular lotus seed buns.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
It's Grandma's birthday, so we bought a box of longevity buns home.
Do you know where one can buy longevity buns?
Related words
Common phrases
steamed longevity bun
celebrate a birthday of an elderly person
Common mistake
Learners often confuse these with standard lotus seed buns found at dim sum. Remember that these are specifically for birthdays or celebratory events, not just any casual snack.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
