siu6 hing3 zau2紹興酒绍兴酒
Jyutpingsiu6 hing3 zau2
Yalesiuh hing jáu
Definition
Shaoxing wine; a famous yellow wine specialty of Shaoxing fermented from glutinous rice.
neutralfooddrink
How it's used
Commonly referred to simply as 花雕 in culinary contexts, as this is the most popular variety of Shaoxing wine used in cooking. It is essential for removing the gamey smell from meat and seafood, acting as a crucial aromatic base for many Cantonese stir-fries and braised dishes.
Measure word
zeon1樽jēunExamples
You need to add a little Shaoxing wine to make this dish fragrant enough.
Do you still have any Shaoxing wine at home?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid confusing it with strong distilled spirits like 高粱酒, as Shaoxing wine has a much lower alcohol content and a distinct, savory sweetness that is meant to enhance flavor rather than provide a sharp alcoholic kick.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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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.
