燒烤
The English phrase 'grill' is translated to Cantonese as 燒烤.
The term 燒烤 can be used as both a noun (the barbecue itself) and a verb (to barbecue/grill food).
Meaning: barbecue (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guangzhou, the most common term for grill is 燒烤.
Did you know?
- While 燒烤 is the standard term, you will often see 燒嘢食 on street signs. This literally means 'burning things to eat' and is the quintessential colloquial way to describe a grill party in Hong Kong.
- The character 燒 in 燒烤 can also be used in the phrase 燒腦, which means 'brain-burning'. This is a modern slang term used to describe a movie or puzzle that is so complex it makes your brain hurt.
- In Cantonese culture, 燒烤 is closely linked to the 'midnight snack' culture. Many popular grill stalls only open after midnight and serve as social hubs for workers and students in the early hours.
Examples in context
- 我哋準備燒烤物料啦。ngo5 dei6 zeon2 bei6 siu1 gwo2 mat6 liu2 laa1.Let's prepare the barbecue ingredients.
- 我好鍾意食燒烤嘢。ngo5 hou2 zung1 ji3 sik6 siu1 gwo2 je5.I really love eating barbecue food.
Example conversation
Two friends are planning a weekend outing.
- 家明 Ka Ming曉彤，禮拜六去燒烤好嗎？hiu2 tung4, lai5 baai3 luk6 heoi3 siu1 gwo2 hou2 maa1?曉彤, is it okay to go for a barbecue this Saturday?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好呀，家明，我哋去邊度呀？hou2 aa3, kaa1 ming4, ngo5 dei6 heoi3 bin1 dou6 aa3?Sure, 家明, where are we going?
- 家明 Ka Ming去海邊燒烤啦。heoi3 hoi2 bin1 siu1 gwo2 laa1.Let's go to the beach for a barbecue.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好主意，我會準備嘢食。hou2 zyu2 ji3, ngo5 wui5 zeon2 bei6 je5 sik6.Good idea, I will prepare the food.
