si1 gwaa1絲瓜丝瓜
Jyutpingsi1 gwaa1
Yalesī gwā
Definition
Luffa; sponge gourd.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use the term 勝瓜 instead of 絲瓜 in daily life. This is due to the phonetic similarity between 絲瓜 and 輸瓜, where 輸 means to lose, making it an unlucky term in a culture that values gambling and business success. Using 勝瓜, which contains the character for victory, turns the name into an auspicious one.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhRelated words
Common phrases
steamed luffa with garlic
stir-fried luffa with pork slices
Common mistake
Avoid using 絲瓜 in a restaurant or at home, as it sounds like you are wishing for a loss. Always opt for 勝瓜 to ensure your language remains positive and culturally appropriate.
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.
