How to Say “Protein” in Cantonese

Did you know?

• The term 蛋白質 is composed of the characters for 'dan' (egg), 'bai' (white), and 'zhi' (substance).
• In traditional Chinese medicine, which heavily influences Cantonese culture, the concept of 'protein' is often subsumed under the category of 'essence' 精, which is believed to be the most refined energy of the body.
• While 'protein' is a scientific term in English, in Cantonese menus, the concept is often replaced by the specific animal source, like 'meat' or 'fish'.