tong4 seoi2糖水
Jyutpingtong4 seoi2
Yaletòhng séui
Definition
Tong sui; a sweet, soupy Cantonese dessert made with a wide variety of ingredients.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Refers specifically to traditional Cantonese sweet soups rather than Western-style desserts like cakes or pastries. While the name translates to sugar water, it encompasses a huge variety of ingredients like beans, nuts, fruits, and herbal jellies. It is a staple of local social life, often enjoyed late at night at specialized shops.
Measure word
wun2碗wúnExamples
Let's go have a bowl of tong sui after dinner.
Which type of tong sui do you like to eat?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with Western desserts or generic sweet drinks. It is a distinct category of food that is almost always served warm or hot, though some varieties like mango sago are served chilled.
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.
