sik6 san4食神

Jyutpingsik6 san4

Yalesihk sàhn

Rare

Definition

A gourmet, food connoisseur, or god of cookery.

colloquialfoodpeople

How it's used

Originally referring to the God of Food in Chinese mythology, this term is now used colloquially to describe someone with an exceptionally refined palate or a knack for discovering hidden culinary gems. It carries a sense of admiration for someone who treats eating as a serious pursuit rather than just a necessity. You might hear it used jokingly to praise a friend who always picks the best restaurants.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢zan1真hai6係sik6食san4神，heoi3去bin1邊dou6度dou1都wan2搵dou3到hou2好je5嘢sik6食。

He is a real gourmet, he finds good food wherever he goes.

nei5你gam3咁sik1識sik6食，gaan2簡zik6直hai6係sik6食san4神lai2嚟㗎gaa2喎。

You know so much about food, you're practically a gourmet.

Common phrases

wan2搵sik6食san4神

to look for a gourmet

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a professional chef, as it describes a connoisseur or a food lover rather than someone who cooks for a living. While it implies expertise, it is often used in a lighthearted or hyperbolic way to compliment someone's taste.