sing1 dau2升斗
Jyutpingsing1 dau2
Yalesīng dáu
Definition
A small amount of grain or food.
colloquialfoodpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to basic, modest provisions, often carrying a connotation of living hand to mouth. While historically based on units of measurement for grain, it is rarely used today to describe actual cooking measurements, functioning instead as a metaphor for a meager livelihood or humble status.
Examples
Their family just survives on a tiny amount of food.
Is this small amount of food enough for you to eat?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with modern metric measurements like 公升, as this term is strictly idiomatic and refers to a small, often insufficient, quantity of food rather than a precise volume.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
