ze6 zou3謝灶谢灶
Jyutpingze6 zou3
Yalejeh jou
Definition
To thank the Kitchen God, a traditional festival held on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.
colloquialfestivalhome
How it's used
This term refers specifically to the ritual offerings made to the Kitchen God before he ascends to heaven to report on the family's conduct. It is deeply rooted in traditional household culture and is often associated with the cleaning of the kitchen and the burning of paper offerings. The act is performed with the hope of ensuring a prosperous and smooth year ahead.
Examples
Tomorrow is the 24th, has your family finished preparing for the Kitchen God ceremony?
ngo5我dei6哋mui5每nin4年dou1都wui6會maai5買di1啲tong4糖gwo2果faan1返lai4嚟ze6謝zou3灶，hei1希mong6望zou3灶gwan1君bou2保jau6佑。
We buy candies every year for the Kitchen God ceremony, hoping for his blessing.
Related words
Common phrases
candies for the Kitchen God
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general thank you gesture, but it is strictly tied to the specific lunar calendar date of the 24th of the twelfth month and the religious practice concerning the Kitchen God.
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.
