siu2 coi3小菜
Jyutpingsiu2 coi3
Yalesíu choi
Definition
Side dishes, or small portions of dishes intended for a single person or a small group.
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How it's used
Refers specifically to smaller, individual portions of dishes served in a casual dining setting, often found in local eateries or dai pai dongs. It implies a variety of choices meant to be shared among a small group rather than a single, large main course. The term highlights the accessibility and informal nature of the meal.
Measure word
dip2碟dípExamples
The side dishes at this restaurant are tasty and the prices are cheap.
Which side dishes would you like to order tonight?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes refer to pickles or appetizers. In Cantonese, it refers to cooked, hot dishes that are simply smaller in portion size.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
