zam6 zau2鴆酒鸩酒
Jyutpingzam6 zau2
Yalejahm jáu
Definition
Poisoned wine, historically used for executions or suicides.
writtenfoodother
How it's used
Historically, this refers to wine laced with the venom of a legendary bird called the 鴆, which was used for executions or suicides in ancient times. It carries a strong literary and dramatic weight, often appearing in period dramas or historical novels rather than modern daily conversation. Using it in a casual setting sounds overly theatrical or archaic.
Measure word
bui1杯būiExamples
He lost his life after drinking the cup of poisoned wine.
Related words
Common phrases
to be ordered by an emperor to commit suicide via poisoned wine
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe food poisoning or accidental ingestion of chemicals, as it specifically implies a deliberate, lethal act of poisoning.
Grammar color guide
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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.
