蒸雞
zing1 gai1
蒸雞 (zing1 gai1) is the Cantonese phrase for steamed chicken.
蒸雞 refers to chicken that has been cooked by exposing it to steam.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the verb 蒸 (zing1), meaning 'to steam' and the noun 雞 (gai1), meaning 'chicken'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb 蒸 (zing1) functions as a modifier for the noun 雞 (gai1) to describe the specific cooking method used.
How do you pronounce it?
zing1 gai1
Did you know?
- The verb 蒸 (zing1) is also used in Cantonese to describe the act of 'sweating' or being in a humid, stifling environment, much like the steam in a kitchen.
- At traditional Cantonese weddings, a dish of chicken like 蒸雞 is often served to represent the wish for the couple to have many children, as the 雞 ('chicken') is associated with fertility.
- The Cantonese word 雞 is used in various slang terms, including 雞毛 meaning 'chicken feathers', which is used to describe something trivial or insignificant.
Examples in context
- 我想食蒸雞。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 zing1 gai1.I want to eat steamed chicken.
- 餐廳有冇蒸雞？caan1 teng1 jau5 mou5 zing1 gai1?Does the restaurant have steamed chicken?
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to order at a Cantonese restaurant.
- 家明 Ka Ming曉彤，你鍾意食咩？hiu2 tung4, nei5 zung1 ji3 sik6 me1?曉彤, what do you like to eat?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我今日想食蒸雞。ngo5 gam1 jat6 soeng2 sik6 zing1 gai1.I want to eat steamed chicken today.
- 家明 Ka Ming好呀，我哋叫一份蒸雞啦。hou2 aa3, ngo5 dei6 giu3 jat1 fan6 zing1 gai1 laa1.Okay, let's order one portion of steamed chicken.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好呀，家明。hou2 aa3, kaa1 ming4.Okay, 家明.
