微波爐
The Cantonese word for microwave is 微波爐.
微波爐 is an ellipsis of microwave oven. In colloquial speech, the verb 叮 is often used to describe the act of microwaving something, mimicking the sound of the appliance.
Meaning: ellipsis of microwave oven (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 微波爐 is composed of 微波 (microwave) and 爐 (oven/stove).
Did you know?
- The word 波 (bo) in the phrase means 'wave', but it is also the standard character used for 'ball' in many other Cantonese contexts.
- While 微波爐 is used for the machine, the word 爐 is also used for incense burners, creating a wide semantic gap between a kitchen appliance and a religious object.
- Cantonese speakers may use 叮 as a shorthand for the entire process of reheating leftovers, regardless of whether the microwave actually makes a 'ding' sound.
Examples in context
- 喺爐上㷫好過喺微波爐叮。It's better to warm it up on the stove than to microwave it.Tatoeba #8766939 by cheeseisdisgusting, translation #8766943 by cheeseisdisgusting
- 用微波爐熱返啲野。Heat up the leftovers in the microwave.
- 呢部微波爐好用。ni1 bou6 mei4 bo1 lou4 hou2 jung6.This microwave is very useful.
- 我想買部新微波爐。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 bou6 san1 mei4 bo1 lou4.I want to buy a new microwave.
Example conversation
At home, discussing heating up food.
- 志強 Chi Keung啲餸可以用微波爐叮嗎？di1 sung3 ho2 ji5 jung6 mei4 bo1 lou4 ding1 maa1?Can the food be heated in the microwave?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung可以，用微波爐好快。ho2 ji5, jung6 mei4 bo1 lou4 hou2 faai3.Yes, using the microwave is very fast.
- 志強 Chi Keung曉彤，你幫我叮吓啲餸。hiu2 tung4, nei5 bong1 ngo5 ding1 haa5 di1 sung3.曉彤, help me microwave the food.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好啦，等我一陣就搞掂。hou2 laa1, dang2 ngo5 jat1 zan6 zau6 gaau2 dim6.Okay, I'll have it done in a moment.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
