春卷
ceon1 gyun2
In Cantonese, the English phrase 'spring roll' is translated as 春卷 (ceon1 gyun2).
The term refers to a dish consisting of shredded vegetables wrapped in a pancake.
Meaning: shredded vegetables wrapped in a pancake (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word consists of 春, meaning spring and 卷, meaning roll or wrap.
How do you pronounce it?
ceon1 gyun2
Did you know?
- While 春卷 are eaten year-round, they are traditionally served during the Lunar New Year to symbolize bars of gold and wealth.
- The word 卷 (gyun2) is the same character used for 'scrolls' in ancient Chinese literature, linking a snack to the idea of a rolled parchment.
- The term 春卷 is used in both Cantonese and Mandarin, but the pronunciation is strikingly different: 'ceon1 gyun2' versus 'chūn juǎn'.
Examples in context
- 春卷好好味！(ceon1 gyun2 hou2 hou2 mei6)Spring rolls are very tasty!
- 酥炸春捲 (so1 zaa3 ceon1 gyun6)Deep-fried spring rolls
- 去飲茶想叫返幾個春卷。 (heoi3 jam2 caa4 soeng2 giu3 faan1 gei2 go3 ceon1 gyun2)Let's order a few spring rolls at the dim sum restaurant.
- 呢個春卷好脆。ni1 go3 ceon1 gyun2 hou2 ceoi3.This spring roll is very crispy.
- 你會煮春卷嗎？nei5 wui5 zyu2 ceon1 gyun2 maa1?Can you cook spring rolls?
Example conversation
A man and a woman are ordering food at a restaurant.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit美玲，你想食咩？mei5 ling4, nei5 soeng2 sik6 me1?Mei Ling, what do you want to eat?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我想食春卷。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 ceon1 gyun2.I want to eat spring rolls.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好呀，我哋叫一份春卷。hou2 aa3, ngo5 dei6 giu3 jat1 fan6 ceon1 gyun2.Okay, let's order one portion of spring rolls.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好，多謝俊傑。hou2, do1 ze6 zeon3 kit3.Okay, thanks Chun Kit.
