zaa1 zaa1喳喳
Jyutpingzaa1 zaa1
Yalejā jā
Definition
Chacha; a type of Cantonese sweet soup made with mixed beans, taro, and sago.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
Originating from the Malay word "chacha" meaning "mix," this dessert is a staple in traditional Hong Kong sweet soup shops. It is distinct from other bean soups because it typically includes coconut milk, which gives it a rich, creamy texture and a unique fragrance. You will rarely find it served hot in the same way as red bean soup, as it is often enjoyed warm or at room temperature to balance the richness of the coconut milk.
Measure word
wun2碗wúnExamples
Let's go have a bowl of mixed bean dessert after dinner tonight.
The mixed bean dessert at this sweet soup shop is very famous.
Related words
Common phrases
to eat mixed bean dessert
a bowl of mixed bean dessert
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 喳喳聲, which is an onomatopoeia for noisy or chattering sounds. The dessert is a specific noun and does not carry the meaning of "noisy" or "messy" in any context.
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.
