suk1 hang1 hang1宿哼哼
Jyutpingsuk1 hang1 hang1
Yalesūk hāng hāng
Definition
Rotten, sour, or stinky smell of spoiled food or a sweaty body.
colloquialfooddescriptions
How it's used
This term specifically describes the unpleasant, damp, and sour odor that develops when organic matter like food or fabric sits in humidity for too long. It carries a strong sense of neglect or lack of hygiene. Unlike general terms for stinky, it implies a specific fermentation or spoilage process that is quite pungent.
Examples
The lunchbox has been sitting for too long and has a sour, rotten smell.
Why does your shirt smell so musty and sour? Go wash it quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
a whiff of musty, sour smell
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe bad smells in general, such as trash or sewage. It is reserved for things that have turned sour or musty due to moisture and time.
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.
