椰棗
je4 zou2
The English word 'dates' (referring to the fruit) is translated into Cantonese as 椰棗 (je4 zou2).
The term refers to the sweet, edible fruit of the date palm tree.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guangzhou, speakers tend to use the word 號 rather than 日 when expressing calendar dates. In Hong Kong, people may use the word 日 instead of 號.
How do you pronounce it?
je4 zou2
Did you know?
- Red dates 紅棗 are traditionally added to wedding soups and postpartum tonics to symbolize fertility and good luck.
- The Cantonese term 椰棗 (je4 zou2) literally translates to 'coconut date', combining the character for 'coconut' with the word for 'date'.
- In Cantonese markets, you will often find 紅棗 (red dates), which are jujubes and not the fruit of the date palm tree.
Examples in context
- 6月2號June 2nd
- 11月1號November 1st
- 1月3日January 3rd
- 我十月二十號生日。My birthday is on October 20th.
- 大家下星期六一齊去慶祝。Let's all celebrate together next Saturday.
- 你幾時出世？When were you born?
- 我出世喺1990年。I was born in 1990.
- 呢啲椰棗好甜。ni1 di1 je4 zeoi6 hou2 tim4.These dates are very sweet.
- 我想買一盒椰棗。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 jat1 hap6 je4 zeoi6.I want to buy a box of dates.
- 你食唔食椰棗？nei5 sik6 m4 sik6 je4 zeoi6?Do you eat dates?
Example conversation
Yating and Zikien are at a supermarket.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting子健，你睇下呢啲椰棗。zi2 gin6, nei5 tai2 haa6 ni1 di1 je4 zou2.Zikien, look at these dates.
- 子健 Tsz Kin係唔係好貴呀？hai6 m4 hai6 hou2 gwai3 aa3?Are they very expensive?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting唔貴，而且椰棗好健康。m4 gwai3, ji4 ce2 je4 zou2 hou2 gin6 hong1.They aren't expensive, and dates are very healthy.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好啦，買一包試下。hou2 laa1, maai5 jat1 baau1 si3 haa6.Okay, let's buy a pack to try.
