zaan3灒
Jyutpingzaan3
Yalejaan
Definition
To splash, spatter, or sprinkle liquid.
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How it's used
Primarily used in cooking to describe the technique of adding a small amount of liquid to a very hot pan to create steam and aroma. Beyond the kitchen, it describes the accidental splashing of hot liquids like oil or boiling water. It carries a sense of suddenness and potential danger.
Examples
The oil splashed onto my hand and it hurts so much.
Remember to splash a little wine into the pan when you cook.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 潑, which implies throwing a large volume of liquid. 灒 specifically refers to small, sharp splashes or the culinary action of deglazing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
