酸
syun¹
The Cantonese word for sour is 酸 (syun¹).
The term 酸 primarily describes a taste that is acidic, sharp or tangy. Beyond its literal use for food and drink, it can also be used figuratively to describe a physical sensation of aching or numbness, such as in one's limbs.
Meaning: having an acidic, sharp or tangy taste (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 酸 is the standard term for the taste, you may encounter 酸味 to specifically mean "sour taste". In casual conversation, the phrase 酸嘢 is used to refer to "sour stuff".
How do you pronounce it?
syun¹
Did you know?
- Certain traditional Cantonese medicines use the 'sour' flavor 酸 specifically to treat astringent properties and stop leakage or sweating.
- In Cantonese, 酸 can describe the feeling of jealousy or envy. If someone is 'salty' or bitter about another person's success, they are said to be 酸.
- In Cantonese culture, the combination of 酸 (sour) and 甜 (sweet) is often used as a metaphor for the ups and downs of a romantic relationship.
Examples in context
- 呢粒蘋果好酸。This apple tastes sour.This sentence uses 酸 to describe the taste of an apple.Tatoeba #423898 by nickyeow, translation #60352 by CK
- 我鍾意食酸梅I like eating sour plums.
- 呢杯飲品好酸This drink is very sour.
- 呢個菜有啲酸味This dish has a hint of sour taste.
- 呢款醃肉好好食，有啲咸酸This marinated meat is delicious with a hint of sour and salty taste.
Example conversation
At a cafe, they are trying a new fruit tea.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung呢杯檸檬茶好酸呀。nei1 bui1 nang4 man4 ca4 hou2 syun1 aa3.This lemon tea is very sour.
- 子健 Tsz Kin係咩？你唔鍾意？hai6 me1? nei5 m4 zung1 ji3?Is it? You don't like it?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我唔係唔鍾意，係太酸喇。ngo5 m4 hai6 m4 zung1 ji3, hai6 taai3 syun1 laa3.It's not that I don't like it, it's just too sour.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁我幫你飲啦。gam2 ngo5 bong1 nei5 jam2 laa1.Then I'll drink it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sour” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
