虾饺
xiājiǎo
虾饺 (xiājiǎo) is the Mandarin term for the English phrase har gow.
虾饺 refers to a traditional shrimp dumpling.
Meaning: a traditional Cantonese shrimp dumpling (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
While the Mandarin pronunciation is xiājiǎo, the phrase 'har gow' is the Cantonese pronunciation of the same characters 虾饺.
How do you pronounce it?
xiājiǎo
Did you know?
- In dim sum culture, 虾饺 is often considered a benchmark of a chef's skill because the pleated skin must be thin enough to be translucent but strong enough not to tear.
- Because the Cantonese name 'har gow' is so iconic, many international menus use the Cantonese pronunciation even in non-Cantonese speaking countries to preserve the dish's heritage.
- Despite being a Cantonese staple, 虾饺 is often served in Mandarin-speaking regions as part of a 'yum cha' experience, a term meaning 'drink tea' that describes the entire meal.
Examples in context
- 请给我一笼虾饺Please give me a basket of har gow.
- 我喜欢吃虾饺，它真好吃!I enjoy eating har gow, it's really delicious!
- 我最喜欢吃虾饺。Wǒ zuì xǐhuān chī xiājiǎo.I like eating shrimp dumplings the most.
- 这一笼虾饺很新鲜。Zhè yī lóng xiājiǎo hěn xīnxiān.This steamer of shrimp dumplings is very fresh.
- 你要点虾饺吗？Nǐ yào diǎn xiājiǎo ma?Do you want to order shrimp dumplings?
Example conversation
A young man and woman are ordering dim sum at a restaurant.
- 俊杰 Junjie佳怡，你想吃什么？Jiāyí, nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?Jiayi, what do you want to eat?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我想吃虾饺。Wǒ xiǎng chī xiājiǎo.I want to eat shrimp dumplings.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，那我们点两份虾饺吧。Hǎo de, nà wǒmen diǎn liǎng fèn xiājiǎo ba.Okay, then let's order two portions of shrimp dumplings.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太好了，谢谢你，俊杰。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ, Jùnjié.Great, thank you, Junjie.
