tou4淘
Jyutpingtou4
Yaletòuh
Definition
To pour soup or tea over rice, or to wash grains in a sieve.
- to mix soup or liquid into rice for eating
- to wash or rinse grains in a sieve
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
This word is specifically used for the act of pouring soup or broth over rice to soften it or add flavor. It implies a casual, home-style way of eating rather than a formal dining experience. You will often hear it used when describing comfort food or quick meals at home.
Examples
Do you like mixing your rice with soup?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin meaning of washing rice in a sieve, which is not how this character is used in daily Cantonese conversation. Using it to mean washing rice will sound very strange to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
