sik6 ti1食ｔｅａ
Jyutpingsik6 ti1
Yalesihk tī
Definition
To have afternoon tea or a light afternoon snack.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the British colonial legacy of afternoon tea, which has evolved into a casual snack time rather than a formal meal. It is commonly used to describe grabbing a light bite between lunch and dinner, often around 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The term is deeply embedded in local office culture as a short break to recharge.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with yum cha, which refers to the traditional dim sum experience. While both involve tea, 食tea is usually a quick, casual snack, whereas yum cha is a more substantial meal.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
