zyu1茱
Jyutpingzyu1
Yalejyū
Definition
Cornelian cherry.
neutralfestivalnature
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively encountered in the context of the Chung Yeung Festival, where it is traditionally worn to ward off bad luck. It is rarely used in modern daily conversation outside of discussing this specific cultural practice or classical poetry. Most speakers will refer to the plant by its full name, 茱萸, rather than the single character alone.
Measure word
fo2棵fóExamples
People wear cornelian cherry during the Chung Yeung Festival.
Related words
Common phrases
cornelian cherry sachet
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common fruit or ingredient, but it is primarily a cultural symbol in Hong Kong. Do not use it to describe cherries or berries found in a supermarket.
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.
- 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.
