zi2 mai5紫米
Jyutpingzi2 mai5
Yalejí máih
Definition
Black glutinous rice.
colloquialfooddim sum
How it's used
紫米 is prized for its chewy texture and deep purple hue, often appearing in traditional Hong Kong dessert shops as a warm, sweet soup. It is distinct from standard white rice due to its nutritional profile and is frequently paired with coconut milk to balance its earthy flavor. You will rarely see it served as a main staple in a savory meal compared to regular rice.
Measure word
wun2碗wúnExamples
I want to have black glutinous rice soup for dessert.
Do you like eating black glutinous rice?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with black rice or wild rice found in Western salads, as those have a different grain structure and cooking time compared to the sticky, glutinous nature of 紫米.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
