wu1 dau2烏豆乌豆
Jyutpingwu1 dau2
Yalewū dáu
Definition
Black soybean; black bean.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Refers specifically to the black soybean used in traditional Cantonese soups and desserts. It is often paired with pork or chicken to create nourishing broths believed to improve circulation and hair health. Unlike other beans, it is rarely eaten as a standalone snack unless roasted or sweetened.
Measure word
baau1包bāuExamples
This pot of black bean soup is very soothing for the throat.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 黑豆, which is the standard term in Mandarin and formal writing. While both are understood, 烏豆 is the preferred term in traditional wet markets and home cooking contexts in Hong Kong.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
