麵 / 面
min⁶
The English word "noodle" is translated into Cantonese as 麵 / 面 (min⁶). If unsure, use 麵 / 面. Wiktionary also lists 麵條 / 面条 (min⁶ tiu⁴).
Meaning: string or flat strip of pasta or other dough (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 麵 / 面 | min⁶ |
| 麵條 / 面条 | min⁶ tiu⁴ |
In Cantonese, the term refers to a string or flat strip of pasta or other dough. The word 麵 / 面 is frequently used as a suffix when naming specific dishes, such as in 炒麵 (chau² min⁶) to refer to fried noodles. Additionally, in certain parts of Guangdong and Macau, the term 撈麵 is used specifically to refer to stir-fried or tossed noodles.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 撈麵 is used specifically in some areas of Guangdong and Macau to describe stir-fried or tossed noodles.
How do you pronounce it?
min⁶
Did you know?
- The word 面 can mean 'noodle' or 'face' depending on the context, making the phrase 'my face' and 'my noodles' look identical in written form.
- In Cantonese culture, long noodles like 麵 represent longevity, so it is considered bad luck to cut them with scissors or chopsticks while eating.
- Traditional Cantonese chefs use a high-heat technique to give 麵 a distinct aroma called 'wok hei', which translates to 'breath of the wok'.
Examples in context
- 肉絲麵Shredded pork noodle
- 雞蛋麵Egg noodle
- 有冇炸麵仔？Do you have deep-fried noodles?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “noodle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
