zak1 jyu4鰂魚鲗鱼
Jyutpingzak1 jyu4
Yalejāk yùh
Definition
Tilapia, a type of freshwater fish.
colloquialfood
How it's used
Commonly found in wet markets and local home cooking, this fish is valued for its affordability and versatility. It is frequently prepared by steaming with ginger and scallions to highlight its delicate texture. While often referred to as 鰂魚 in casual speech, it is technically a freshwater fish that is widely farmed in the region.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Shall we buy a tilapia to steam for dinner tonight?
This tilapia is very fresh and the meat is very smooth.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鯽魚, which is a different species of carp often used in soups. While they sound similar in some dialects, in Hong Kong, 鰂魚 specifically refers to tilapia.
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.
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- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
