芥辣
gaai³ laat⁶
The English word 'mustard' is 芥辣 (gaai³ laat⁶) in Cantonese. Wiktionary also lists 芥末 (gaai³ mut⁶).
Meaning: condiment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 芥辣 | gaai³ laat⁶ |
| 芥末 | gaai³ mut⁶ |
Mustard refers to the condiment used in food. To specify that you are talking about mustard as a sauce or condiment, you can add 醬 (sauce) to the end to get 芥辣醬.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 芥辣 is composed of 芥 (mustard plant) and 辣 (spicy/hot).
Which one should you use?
The term 芥末 is often used interchangeably with 芥辣, but it is also the common term used for wasabi in many contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
gaai³ laat⁶
Did you know?
- The word 芥 is used in the Cantonese phrase 芥蒂, which refers to a deep-seated grudge or a small seed of resentment.
- The term 芥辣 can be used to describe a 'sharp' or 'stinging' quality that isn't necessarily related to taste, such as a biting comment.
- While 芥辣 and 芥末 are often interchangeable, 芥末 literally translates to 'mustard end' or 'mustard tip'.
Examples in context
- 我食晏嗰陣唔小心滴咗滴芥辣醬落條呔度。A drop of mustard fell and stained my tie during lunch.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use 芥辣 when discussing a stain on clothing.Tatoeba #1324086 by nickyeow, translation #640843 by darinmex
- 這個漢堡需要加一點芥末醬。This burger needs a little mustard.
- 呢隻三文治要加芥菜膏吖？Do you want to add mustard to this sandwich?
Example conversation
Two friends are ordering food at a deli.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan家明，你要唔要芥辣？gaa1 ming4, nei5 jiu3 m4 jiu3 gaai3 laat6?Ka Ming, do you want mustard?
- 家明 Ka Ming唔好，我唔鍾意嗰種味。m4 hou2, ngo5 m4 zung1 ji3 go2 zung2 mei6.No thanks, I don't like that taste.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan噉就得啦，我幫你攞番茄醬。gam2 zau6 dak1 laa1, ngo5 bong1 nei5 lo2 fan1 go3 si1 zoeng3.Alright then, I'll get ketchup for you.
- 家明 Ka Ming多謝你，嘉欣。do1 ze6 nei5, gaa1 han1.Thank you, Ka Yan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mustard” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
