syut3 cong4雪藏
Jyutpingsyut3 cong4
Yalesyut chòhng
Definition
To refrigerate or freeze food, or figuratively, to shelve, put on hold, or bench someone.
- to refrigerate or freeze; to preserve food at cold temperatures
- figurativeto shelve; to put on hold; to bench a player or sideline an artist
colloquialfoodwork
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of freezing food, this term is frequently used metaphorically in workplace or entertainment contexts to describe someone being sidelined or put on ice. When a company or manager stops giving an employee important tasks or public exposure, they are said to be 雪藏. It carries a sense of being intentionally set aside and ignored rather than just being fired.
Examples
Remember to put the meat in the freezer after you buy it.
How long did you keep it in the freezer before taking it out to cook?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 冷藏, which is more commonly used in formal or technical contexts for refrigeration. In daily life, Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 雪藏 for anything kept in the fridge or freezer.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
