syun3 tau4蒜頭蒜头
Jyutpingsyun3 tau4
Yalesyun tàuh
Definition
Garlic; a common cooking ingredient with a strong aroma and pungent taste.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to the whole bulb or individual cloves of garlic. When referring to the minced or crushed form used in cooking, locals often use 蒜蓉 instead. It is a staple in Cantonese cuisine, frequently paired with ginger and scallions to form the base of many stir-fry dishes.
Measure word
nap1粒nāpExamples
Remember to add more garlic when you stir-fry the vegetables.
How many cloves of garlic did you buy to bring home?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the whole bulb with individual cloves. While 蒜頭 can refer to the entire bulb, you should use 粒 when counting individual cloves.
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.
