syun3蒜
Jyutpingsyun3
Yalesyun
Definition
Garlic; a clove or head of garlic.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Garlic is almost always referred to as 蒜頭 in daily speech, even though 蒜 is the root word. Using 蒜 alone can sound slightly formal or like you are referring to the category rather than the physical cloves. It is a fundamental ingredient in Cantonese cuisine, often paired with 薑 and 蔥 to form the base of many stir-fry dishes.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
Adding more garlic when cooking makes it smell great.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 蒜 with 蔥, which is green onion or scallion. While both are aromatic staples, they serve different flavor profiles in cooking.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
