杯
bui¹
The Cantonese word for cup is 杯 (bui¹).
杯 is used as a classifier for various liquid-filled containers, such as coffee, tea or water.
Meaning: drinking vessel (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a measure word for drinks, 杯 functions as a classifier meaning 'cup' or 'glass'. In Cantonese, to say 'a cup of [drink]', you must place the number before the classifier (for example, '一 杯 水' for 'a cup of water').
How do you pronounce it?
bui¹
Did you know?
- When performing the social ritual of pouring tea, one should never fill a guest's 杯 to the very brim, as this is perceived as a signal for them to depart.
- The shape of the character 杯 itself is highly structured, combining the radical for 'wood' on the left, reflecting the historical use of wooden vessels.
- In traditional Cantonese tea service, if a guest taps their fingers on the table as a 'thank you', they are acknowledging the tea poured into their 杯.
Examples in context
- 我想飲杯咖啡。I would like to have a cup of coffee.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 杯 when expressing a desire to drink coffee.Tatoeba #1708824 by nickyeow, translation #454413 by saasmath
- 一杯咖啡吖唔該。I'll have a cup of coffee, please.This sentence is useful for practicing how to order 'a cup of' something using 杯.Tatoeba #5738653 by nickyeow, translation #5258951 by Lindoula
- 我哋一齊飲咗杯茶。We had a cup of tea together.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 杯 in the context of having tea.Tatoeba #10650633 by nickyeow, translation #8219397 by Hybrid
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a kitchen, a woman is cleaning up after tea.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung志強，呢個杯係咪你嘅？zi3 koeng4, ni1 go3 bui1 hai6 mai6 nei5 ge3?Chik Keung, is this cup yours?
- 志強 Chi Keung係呀，唔該曉彤。hai6 aa3, m4 goi1 hiu2 tung4.Yes, thank you, Chiu Tung.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung唔緊要，我幫你洗咗佢。m4 gan2 jiu3, ngo5 bong1 nei5 sai2 zo2 keoi5.No problem, I washed it for you.
- 志強 Chi Keung你好好人呀。nei5 hou2 hou2 jan4 aa3.You are so kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cup” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
