匙羹
The Cantonese word for spoon is 匙羹. Wiktionary also lists 調羹 / 调羹 and 羹 (gang¹).
Meaning: scooped utensil for eating (or serving) (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 匙羹 | |
| 調羹 / 调羹 | |
| 羹 | gang¹ |
The term refers to a scooped utensil used for eating or serving food. In a specific formal context, the term 羹匙 is used to describe a spoon intended specifically for consuming thick soups, porridge or stews.
Which one should you use?
匙羹 is the most common way to say spoon in everyday spoken Cantonese. The term 調羹 / 调羹 is also a way to express the concept of a spoon.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting spoons, use the classifier 支 instead of the general classifier 個.
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the classifier 支 used for 匙羹 is the same one used for long, cylindrical objects like pencils and cigarettes. This highlights the spoon's handle more than its bowl.
- The formal term 調羹 implies an action, as the first character means 'to stir' or 'to adjust'. A spoon is literally viewed as a 'stirring tool'.
- The word 羹 in 匙羹 specifically refers to 'thick soup' or 'stew' rather than a general liquid. This implies that the traditional spoon was designed primarily for hearty, thickened broths.
Examples in context
- 有無試過用羹食飯？Do you ever eat rice with a spoon?This sentence shows how to use 羹 in a question about eating rice.Tatoeba #12073463 by thesilhouette, translation #6910075 by CK
- 呢支匙羹係俾茶用嘅。This spoon is for tea.This sentence demonstrates the use of 匙羹 when describing a spoon for tea.Tatoeba #1692172 by kaenif, translation #1691837 by CK
- 呢支匙羹係飲湯用嘅。This spoon is for soup.This sentence shows how to use 匙羹 when describing a spoon for soup.Tatoeba #1692193 by kaenif, translation #1691832 by CK
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Mei Ling are preparing to eat soup in the kitchen.
- 家明 Ka Ming美玲，邊度有匙羹？Mei Ling, bin dou jau si gaang?Mei Ling, where are the spoons?
- 美玲 Mei Ling喺個抽屜入面。hai go cau tai jap min.They are inside the drawer.
- 家明 Ka Ming我想搵把大啲嘅匙羹。ngo soeng wan ba daai di ge si gaang.I want to find a bigger spoon.
- 美玲 Mei Ling喺個碟上面嗰把呀。hai go dip soeng min go ba aa.It's the one on top of the plate.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spoon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
