sing3 gwaa1勝瓜胜瓜
Jyutpingsing3 gwaa1
Yalesing gwā
Definition
Luffa; angled luffa.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Superstition drives the use of this term in Cantonese kitchens and markets. Because the word for luffa, 絲瓜, sounds like 輸, which means to lose, it is considered unlucky for gamblers or those who value good fortune. Replacing the first character with 勝, meaning to win, transforms a potential omen of defeat into a lucky ingredient.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
I bought an angel luffa to make soup tonight.
Do you like eating stir-fried angel luffa with eggs?
Related words
Common phrases
stir-fried angel luffa with eggs
angel luffa soup
Common mistake
Do not be confused if you see 絲瓜 on a menu or in a supermarket; it is the exact same vegetable. The choice between the two is purely about personal superstition rather than a difference in the plant itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
