sin1 jau4鮮魷鲜鱿

Jyutpingsin1 jau4

Yalesīn yàuh

Definition

Fresh squid

colloquialfooddim sum

How it's used

Distinguishing between 鮮魷 and 乾魷 is essential in Cantonese cuisine, as they are treated as entirely different ingredients. 鮮魷 refers specifically to the fresh, raw squid found in wet markets, whereas 乾魷 refers to dried squid, which has a completely different texture and flavor profile. When ordering in a restaurant, specifying 鮮魷 ensures you get the tender, succulent texture rather than the chewy, concentrated flavor of the dried version.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

gam1今maan5晚heoi3去gaai1街si5市maai5買di1啲sin1鮮jau4魷faan1返lai4嚟zing1蒸。

Let's go to the market tonight to buy some fresh squid to steam.

nei5你zung1鍾m4唔zung1鍾ji3意sik6食baak6白coek3灼sin1鮮jau4魷aa4呀？

Do you like eating blanched fresh squid?

Related words

Common phrases

baak6白coek3灼sin1鮮jau4魷

blanched fresh squid

si6豉ziu1椒caau2炒sin1鮮jau4魷

stir-fried fresh squid with black bean sauce

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 鮮魷 with 魷魚, which is the general term for squid. While 鮮魷 specifically implies freshness and is often used in the context of buying or cooking, 魷魚 is the broader category that includes dried, processed, or frozen varieties.