牛肚
ngau4 tou5
The English phrase "beef tripe" is translated into Cantonese as 牛肚 (ngau4 tou5).
牛肚 refers to the edible lining of a cow's stomach used as a food ingredient.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of 牛 (ngau4), meaning 'cow' and 肚 (tou5), meaning 'stomach' or 'belly'.
Which one should you use?
While 牛肚 is the common culinary term, 牛胃 (ngau4 wai2) is a more literal anatomical term for the cow's stomach.
How do you pronounce it?
ngau4 tou5
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word 肚 (tou5) does not just mean 'stomach', it can also be used to describe a person's hidden intentions or temperament.
- In Cantonese culinary culture, the texture of 牛肚 is often more important than its flavor. Chefs aim for a 'crunchy' or 'springy' texture, often described as 'hoit' (crunchy/snappy), which is highly prized in hot pot.
- Cantonese cuisine categorizes tripe by the specific stomach chamber, with the 'omasum' being the most highly prized for its unique crunch.
Examples in context
- 你有没有试过牛肚丝炒黑豆？Have you ever tried stir-fried beef tripe with black beans?
- 呢碗牛肚湯好鮮甜。ni1 wun2 ngau4 dou6 tong1 hou2 sin1 tim1.This bowl of beef tripe soup is very fresh and sweet.
- 我哋想食牛肚同腸粉。ngo5 dei6 soeng2 sik6 ngau4 dou6 tung4 coeng4 fan2.We want to eat beef tripe and rice noodle rolls.
- 呢啲牛肚炒得好脆。ni1 di1 ngau4 dou6 caau2 dak1 hou2 ceoi3.This beef tripe is stir-fried very crispy.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are ordering food at a Cantonese restaurant.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，你想食咩？zi2 gin6, nei5 soeng2 sik6 me1?Zi Kin, what do you want to eat?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我想食牛肚。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 ngau4 dou6.I want to eat beef tripe.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好呀，我都會叫一份。hou2 aa3, ngo5 dou1 wui5 giu3 jat1 fan6.Okay, I will order one portion too.
- 子健 Tsz Kin曉彤，等陣一齊食。hiu2 tung4, dang2 zan6 jat1 cai4 sik6.Hiu Tung, let's eat together in a moment.
