香片
hoeng1 pin2
Jasmine tea in Cantonese is 香片 (hoeng1 pin2).
香片 is the standard way to order jasmine tea in a tea house or restaurant.
Meaning: Chinese tea (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 香片 literally translates to "fragrant piece", referring to the way jasmine-scented tea leaves are often processed or shaped.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of Hong Kong, the term 香片 is used to refer to jasmine tea. In Cantonese-speaking areas like Guangzhou or Macau, the term 茉莉香片 is used for jasmine tea.
How do you pronounce it?
hoeng1 pin2
Did you know?
- The fragrance of 香片 is created by layering tea leaves with fresh blossoms overnight so the tea can 'inhale' the scent.
- Ordering 香片 instead of the full 茉莉香片 can signal that a speaker is using a more local, colloquial Hong Kong style of Cantonese.
- The word 香 used in 香片 is the same character found in the names of many high-end perfumes, giving the tea a very elegant connotation to Cantonese speakers.
Examples in context
- 我地要唔要試下茉莉茶？How about trying some jasmine tea?
- 呢啲香片好香。nei1 di1 hoeng1 pin3 hou2 hoeng1.This jasmine tea is very fragrant.
- 你飲唔飲香片？nei5 jam2 m4 jam2 hoeng1 pin3?Do you drink jasmine tea?
Example conversation
At a dim sum restaurant.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你想飲咩茶？nei5 soeng2 jam2 me1 caa4?What tea would you like to drink?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我想飲香片。ngo5 soeng2 jam2 hoeng1 pin3.I want to drink jasmine tea.
- 子健 Tsz Kin好，等我叫服務員。hou2, dang2 ngo5 giu3 fuk6 mou6 jyun4.Okay, let me call the waiter.
- 美玲 Mei Ling唔該晒。m4 goi1 saai3.Thank you very much.
