人參
jan4 sam1
Ginseng in Cantonese is 人參 (jan4 sam1).
The term 人參 refers to the root of the ginseng plant or the extract derived from it.
Meaning: root of such a plant, or the extract (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is jan4 sam1.
Did you know?
- In some Cantonese dialects and folk beliefs, the 'human root' was thought to be a magical object capable of granting immortality.
- The characters in 人參 literally translate to 'human root', based on the visual resemblance of the plant's roots to the shape of a human body.
- Traditional Cantonese practitioners believe 人參 is a 'warm' food and may advise against taking it if you have a 'heaty' constitution.
Examples in context
- 呢啲人參好貴。ni1 di1 jan4 sam1 hou2 gwai3.This ginseng is very expensive.
- 我想買人參。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 jan4 sam1.I want to buy ginseng.
- 人參對身體好。jan4 sam1 deoi3 san1 tai2 hou2.Ginseng is good for the body.
Example conversation
Jun Kit and Ka Yan are at a traditional health store.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan俊傑，你想買咩補品？Jun Kit, nei5 soeng2 maai5 me1 bou2 pan2?Jun Kit, what supplements do you want to buy?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我想買啲高品質嘅人參。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 di1 gou1 bat1 lau6 ge3 jan4 sam1.I want to buy some high-quality ginseng.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan呢度有好多唔同種類。ni1 dou3 jau5 hou2 do1 m4 tung4 zung2 leoi6.There are many different kinds here.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit幫我搵最貴嗰款人參。bong1 ngo5 wan2 zeoi3 gwai3 go2 fun2 jan4 sam1.Help me find the most expensive type of ginseng.
