syu2黍
Jyutpingsyu2
Yalesyú
Definition
Broomcorn millet, or maize.
- broomcorn millet
- maize; corn
neutralfood
How it's used
While 黍 technically refers to broomcorn millet, it is rarely used in modern daily Cantonese to describe food. Most speakers will use 玉米 or 粟米 when referring to maize or corn. Using 黍 in casual conversation can sound quite formal, archaic, or literary.
Measure word
zung3種jungExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 黍米, which is a specific term for millet grains. Learners often mistakenly use 黍 to refer to corn, but 粟米 is the standard term for corn in Hong Kong.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
