南瓜
naam⁴ gwaa¹
The Cantonese word for pumpkin is 南瓜 (naam⁴ gwaa¹). If unsure, use 南瓜. Wiktionary also lists 番瓜 (faan¹ gwaa¹).
Meaning: fruit of this plant (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 南瓜 | naam⁴ gwaa¹ |
| 番瓜 | faan¹ gwaa¹ |
The word refers to the fruit of this plant (noun).
What does it mean word for word?
The term 南瓜 literally means 'southern melon' or 'southern gourd'.
How do you pronounce it?
naam⁴ gwaa¹
Did you know?
- In Cantonese culture, pumpkins are often associated with wealth and prosperity. Because of their golden color and round shape, they are sometimes used in feng shui to attract money.
- The alternative name 番瓜 uses the character 番, which historically refers to 'foreign' or 'overseas' goods brought to China.
- You will often see 南瓜 paired with 'sticky rice' in Cantonese desserts. This sweet porridge is a traditional comfort food, unlike the savory soups common in Western pumpkin dishes.
Examples in context
- 因為噉樣着，佢上咗馬車，佢嘅教母命令佢，最重要嘅係，唔好留到半夜之後，同時同佢講，如果佢留多一陣，車長就會再次變成南瓜，佢嘅馬老鼠，佢嘅車夫一隻老鼠，佢嘅步兵蜥蜴，而佢嘅衫就會變得好似以前噉。Being thus attired, she got into the carriage, her godmother commanding her, above all things, not to stay till after midnight, and telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes would become just as they were before.This sentence is useful for seeing 南瓜 used in a narrative context.Tatoeba #13498926 by Davidgo5867, translation #6211669 by Hybrid
- 呢個南瓜好大。ni1 go3 naam4 gwaa1 hou2 daai6.This pumpkin is very big.
- 我想買個南瓜。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 go3 naam4 gwaa1.I want to buy a pumpkin.
Example conversation
At a vegetable market.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung子健，呢個南瓜好甜。zi2 gin3, ni1 go3 naam4 gwaa1 hou2 tim4.Zi Gin, this pumpkin is very sweet.
- 子健 Tsz Kin係咩？我想試吓。hai6 me1? ngo5 soeng2 si3 haa5.Is it? I want to try it.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung你要唔要買多個？nei5 jiu3 m4 jiu3 maai5 do1 go3?Do you want to buy one more?
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔使啦，一個就夠。m4 sai2 laa1, jat1 go3 zau6 gau3.No thanks, one is enough.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pumpkin” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
