sik6 jau4食油
Jyutpingsik6 jau4
Yalesihk yàuh
Definition
Cooking oil; edible vegetable or animal fat used for preparing food.
neutralfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to oil intended for human consumption, distinguishing it from industrial or lubricating oils. While often just called 油 in casual conversation when the context of cooking is clear, using the full term clarifies that you are talking about the ingredient itself rather than the general concept of grease or oiliness.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
We have run out of cooking oil at home, remember to buy a bottle back.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term for non-food oils like engine oil or essential oils, as it sounds like you are suggesting they are edible.
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.
