zik6 gaau1矽膠矽胶
Jyutpingzik6 gaau1
Yalejihk gāau
Definition
Silica gel, or silicone.
- silica gel; used as a desiccant or adsorbent
- silicone; polysiloxane
colloquialother
How it's used
Refers both to the desiccant packets found in food or shoe boxes and to the flexible, rubbery material used in kitchenware or phone cases. While technically distinct in chemistry, speakers use the same term for both the porous silica beads and the synthetic polymer silicone. It is common to see it used for anything soft, squishy, and synthetic that feels like rubber.
Measure word
baau1包bāuExamples
Don't eat this packet of silica gel, just throw it away.
The phone case is made of silicone, it's very soft.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with plastic or rubber, as those are distinct materials. People often use this term broadly for any soft, flexible material that is not quite plastic, so be aware that it might be used loosely in casual conversation.
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.
