雞翼
gai1 yik6
The English phrase "chicken wings" is translated into Cantonese as 雞翼 (gai1 yik6).
The phrase refers to the wings of a chicken, typically as a food item.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 雞翼 is composed of 雞 (gai1), meaning chicken and 翼 (yik6), meaning wing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In standard Hong Kong Cantonese, 雞翼 is the widely accepted term. In Guangzhou Cantonese, 雞翅 is the preferred term.
How do you pronounce it?
gai1 yik6
Did you know?
- While 雞翼 refers to the food, the phrase 雞飛狗跳 (chicken flying and dogs jumping) is a common Cantonese idiom used to describe a scene of total chaos.
- In Cantonese culture, chicken wings are a staple of 'Yam Cha' (dim sum), often served as 'Honey Glazed Chicken Wings' which are traditionally fried and then coated in a thick, sweet syrup.
- Cantonese speakers often use the word 翼 to describe the 'wings' of a building or a plane, showing that the term for chicken wings is the same one used for aviation and architecture.
Examples in context
- 麻煩上雞翼。I would like to order some chicken wings, please.
- 我想食雞翼。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 gai1 jik1.I want to eat chicken wings.
- 呢啲雞翼好好味。ni1 di1 gai1 jik1 hou2 hou2 mei6.These chicken wings are delicious.
- 超市有賣雞翼。cau1 si5 jau5 maai6 gai1 jik1.The supermarket is selling chicken wings.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiaxin are deciding what to order for dinner.
- 志強 Chi Keung嘉欣，你想食咩？Gaa1 han1, nei5 soeng2 sik6 me1?Jiaxin, what do you want to eat?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我想食燒雞翼。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 siu1 gai1 jik6.I want to eat roasted chicken wings.
- 志強 Chi Keung好啊，我哋叫一盤雞翼啦。hou2 aa3, ngo5 dei6 giu3 jat1 pun4 gai1 jik6 laa1.Okay, let's order a plate of chicken wings.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan好正，快啲叫啦！hou2 zing3, faai3 di1 giu3 laa1!Great, order them quickly!
