蒸魚
zing1 jyu4
Steamed fish is translated into Cantonese as 蒸魚 (zing1 jyu4).
蒸魚 refers to a dish consisting of fish cooked by steaming.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb 蒸 (zing1), meaning 'to steam' and the noun 魚 (jyu4), meaning 'fish'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is zing1 jyu4.
Did you know?
- The term 魚 is a homophone for the word meaning 'surplus' in Cantonese, which is why the dish is frequently served during Lunar New Year to invite prosperity.
- If you are eating 蒸魚 in a Cantonese home, you should never flip the fish over to get to the meat on the bottom, as this is seen as a bad omen for sailors.
- When a host offers the head of the 蒸魚 to a guest, it is a sign of high respect and is often given to the most honored person at the table.
Examples in context
- 呢道蒸魚好鮮甜。ni1 dou6 zing1 jyu2 hou2 sin1 tim4.This steamed fish is very fresh and sweet.
- 餐廳嘅蒸魚好出名。caan1 teng1 ge3 zing1 jyu2 hou2 ceot1 ming4.The restaurant's steamed fish is very famous.
Example conversation
Meiling and Zhiqiang are deciding what to order at a restaurant.
- 美玲 Mei Ling志強，你想食咩？zi3 koeng4, nei5 soeng2 sik6 me1?Zhiqiang, what do you want to eat?
- 志強 Chi Keung我想食蒸魚。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 zing1 jyu2.I want to eat steamed fish.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好啊，呢度嘅蒸魚好出名。hou2 aa3, ni1 dou6 ge3 zing1 jyu2 hou2 ceot1 ming4.Okay, the steamed fish here is very famous.
- 志強 Chi Keung咁就叫一份啦。gam3 zau6 giu3 jat1 fan6 laa1.Then let's order one portion.
