粟粉
suk¹ fan²
The Cantonese word for cornstarch is 粟粉 (suk¹ fan²). Wiktionary also lists 鷹粟粉 / 鹰粟粉 (jing¹ suk¹ fan²).
Meaning: very fine starch powder (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 粟粉 | suk¹ fan² | |
| 鷹粟粉 / 鹰粟粉 | jing¹ suk¹ fan² | Hong Kong |
粟粉 refers to very fine starch powder.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the term 鷹粟粉 or 鹰粟粉 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
suk¹ fan²
Did you know?
- The term 鷹粟粉 contains the word 鷹, which means 'eagle'. This is not a description of the starch but is actually the brand name of a dominant early importer that became a generic term for the product.
- The character 粟 in 粟粉 literally means 'millet', a small grain, rather than 'corn'.
- In Cantonese cuisine, cornstarch is used to create a technique called 'velveting'. This involves coating meat in 粟粉 before frying to create a protective barrier that keeps the meat tender.
Examples in context
- 我想買一包粟粉。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 jat1 baau1 suk6 fan2.I want to buy a bag of cornstarch.
- 呢個羹要加少少粟粉。ni1 go3 gang1 jiu3 gaa1 siu2 siu2 suk6 fan2.This soup needs a little bit of cornstarch.
- 超市有賣粟粉嗎？ceoi1 si5 jau5 maai6 suk6 fan2 maa1?Does the supermarket sell cornstarch?
Example conversation
In a kitchen while preparing a meal.
- 志強 Chi Keung嘉欣，你有冇粟粉呀？gaa1 jan1, nei5 jau5 mou5 suk6 fan2 aa1?Ka Yan, do you have any cornstarch?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我有，喺櫃入面。ngo5 jau5, hai2 gwai2 jap6 min6.I have some, it's in the cupboard.
- 志強 Chi Keung好，等我攞嚟整羹。hou2, dang2 ngo5 lo2 lai4 zing2 gang1.Okay, let me get it to make the soup.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan志強，唔好放太多呀。zi3 koeng4, m4 hou2 fong3 taai3 doi6 aa1.Chi Keung, don't put too much in.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cornstarch” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
