煎堆
zin1 deoi1
The English phrase "sesame ball" is translated into Cantonese as 煎堆 (zin1 deoi1).
In Cantonese, 煎堆 (zin1 deoi1) specifically refers to the large, deep-fried glutinous rice balls coated in sesame seeds that are often filled with red bean paste.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zin1 deoi1.
Did you know?
- While 煎堆 is the term for the sesame ball, the word 煎 literally means 'pan-fry' even though these treats are always deep-fried.
- The round shape of the 煎堆 is used as a linguistic and visual metaphor for 'completeness' and family unity during traditional Cantonese festivals.
- In Cantonese, the word 堆 in 煎堆 means 'pile' or 'heap', describing how the dough is shaped or how the finished balls are stacked on a serving plate.
Examples in context
- 我想要點啲芝麻球，麻煩你。I would like to order some 芝麻球 (zi1 maa4 kau4), please.
- 嘿，我地一齊去街邊攞啲美味嘅煎堆食啦！Hey, let's go grab some delicious 煎堆 (jin1 deoi1) from that street food stall!
- 呢個煎堆好熱。ni1 go3 zin1 dei1 hou2 jit6.This sesame ball is very hot.
- 我想買三個煎堆。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 saam3 go3 zin1 dei1.I want to buy three sesame balls.
- 呢啲煎堆好甜。ni1 di1 zin1 dei1 hou2 tim4.These sesame balls are very sweet.
Example conversation
At a traditional snack stall in a market.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung請問有煎堆嗎？cing2 man6 jau5 zin1 dei1 maa1?Excuse me, do you have sesame balls?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit有的，你要買幾多個？jau5 dik1, nei5 jiu3 maai5 gei2 do1 go3?Yes, how many do you want to buy?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我要兩個煎堆。ngo5 jiu3 loeng2 go3 zin1 dei1.I want two sesame balls.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit冇問題，等我一陣。mou5 man6 tai4, dang2 ngo5 jat1 zan6.No problem, wait for me a moment.
