筷子
faai3 zi2
The Cantonese phrase for "chopsticks" is 筷子 (faai3 zi2).
筷子 refers to a pair of thin sticks used as eating utensils to pick up food.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 筷子 consists of 筷 (faai3), meaning 'chopstick' and 子 (zi2), which is a common noun suffix.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting chopsticks, the classifier 對 (deoi3), meaning 'pair', is used. For example, 對筷子 means "a pair of chopsticks".
How do you pronounce it?
faai3 zi2
Did you know?
- In Cantonese dining etiquette, you should never stick your 筷子 vertically into a bowl of rice. This resembles the way incense is burned for the dead during traditional ceremonies and is considered a bad omen.
- Passing food directly from one person's 筷子 to another's is often avoided as it mimics a funeral rite where bones are passed between mourners.
- If you are eating in a formal Cantonese setting, you should avoid tapping your 筷子 against your rice bowl, as this is a gesture associated with beggars asking for food.
Examples in context
- 你識唔識用筷子㗎？Do you know how to eat with chopsticks?This sentence is useful for asking if someone knows how to use 筷子.Tatoeba #7032065 by nickyeow, translation #3122651 by chajadan
- 我就喺度諗緊點解會多對筷子嘅？I was wondering where this extra pair of chopsticks came from.This sentence shows how to express wondering about an extra pair of 筷子.Tatoeba #8760360 by cheeseisdisgusting, translation #8760361 by cheeseisdisgusting
Example conversation
Two friends are preparing to eat a meal together.
- 志強 Chi Keung雅婷，幫我攞對筷子好嗎？aa tsing, bong ngo lo deoi faai zi hou maa?Ya Ting, can you help me get a pair of chopsticks?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好，喺呢邊個抽屜入面。hou, hai ni bin go cau tai yan min.Okay, they are in this drawer.
- 志強 Chi Keung多謝你，我搵唔到筷子。do ze nei, ngo wan m dou faai zi.Thank you, I couldn't find the chopsticks.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting唔使客氣，快啲食啦。m sai haak hei, faai di sik laa.You're welcome, hurry up and eat.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
