甘草
gam2 cou2
The Cantonese word for licorice is 甘草 (gam2 cou2).
The term 甘草 refers to both the specific herb and the medicinal properties associated with it in traditional medicine.
Meaning: confection (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 甘, meaning sweet and 草, meaning grass or herb.
How do you pronounce it?
gam2 cou2
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'licorice' for a specific black or red candy, a Cantonese speaker might describe the Western treat as 甘草糖, adding the word for 'sugar' to distinguish the confection from the medicinal root.
- In Cantonese, the term 草 means 'grass' or 'herb', but when applied to medicines like 甘草, it refers to a root that is harvested for its rhizome, not its leaves.
- While English speakers associate licorice with a strong candy, in Cantonese, 甘草 is frequently a subtle, background note in complex traditional soups.
Examples in context
- 你知唔知邊度可以買甘草？Do you know where I can buy licorice?
- 呢粒甘草好甜。nei1 lap1 gam1 cou2 hou2 tim4.This piece of licorice is very sweet.
- 呢度有唔有甘草糖？nei2 dou6 jau5 m4 jau5 gam1 cou2 tong4?Is there any licorice candy here?
Example conversation
Two friends are browsing a candy store.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan俊傑，你想試下呢款甘草糖嗎？zeon2 zit3, nei5 soeng2 si3 haa5 ni1 fun2 gam1 cou2 tong4 maa1?俊傑, do you want to try this kind of licorice candy?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit唔好意思，我唔太鍾意甘草。m4 hou2 ji3 si1, ngo5 m4 taai3 zung1 ji3 gam1 cou2.Sorry, I don't really like licorice.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan係咩？我覺得佢好特別。hai6 me1? ngo5 gok3 dak1 keoi5 hou2 dak6 bit6.Really? I think it's very special.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit嘉欣，我哋睇下其他糖吧。ga1 han1, ngo5 dei6 tai2 haa5 kei4 taa1 tong4 baa6.嘉欣, let's look at other candies.
