tim4 jai6 jai6甜曳曳
Jyutpingtim4 jai6 jai6
Yaletìmh yaih yaih
Definition
Taste to sweet
colloquialfooddescriptions
How it's used
Reduplication with the suffix 曳曳 adds an emphatic, almost childish or playful tone to the description of sweetness. It is rarely used to describe high-quality gourmet desserts, as it often implies an overwhelming or cloying level of sugar that might be unpleasant. Use it when you want to highlight that something is sugary to the point of being excessive.
Examples
le1 bui1 naai5 caa4 tim4 jai4 jai4 jam2 m4 lok6 hau2 aa4
呢杯奶茶甜曳曳，飲唔落口呀。
This milk tea is way too sweet, I can't drink it.
nei5 zing2 go2 go3 tong4 seoi2 hai6 mai6 tim4 jai4 jai4 gaa4
你整嗰個糖水係咪甜曳曳㗎？
Is the sweet soup you made super sweet?
Related words
Common phrases
tim4 jai4 jai4 ge3 tong4 seoi2
甜曳曳嘅糖水
super sweet dessert soup
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the adjective 曳, which means naughty or misbehaved when referring to children. While they share the same characters, the reduplicated form 甜曳曳 is strictly reserved for taste and has no connection to behavior.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
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.
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- 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.
