sik1 gaa1釋迦释迦
Jyutpingsik1 gaa1
Yalesīk gā
Definition
Sugar apple; sweetsop (Annona squamosa).
colloquialfood
How it's used
The name of this fruit is derived from the Sanskrit word for Shakyamuni Buddha because the bumpy, segmented skin resembles the curls on a Buddha statue's head. It is a popular tropical fruit in Hong Kong markets, often sold by street vendors or in local fruit stalls. Unlike some other fruits, it is best eaten when it is slightly soft to the touch, indicating it is fully ripe.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
How many sugar apples did you buy to take home?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Buddhist term 釋迦牟尼, which refers to the historical Buddha. While the fruit is named after the Buddha, the context of buying or eating fruit makes the meaning clear.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
