白胡椒
baak6 wu4 ziu1
The Cantonese phrase for "white pepper" is 白胡椒 (baak6 wu4 ziu1).
白胡椒 refers to the light-colored seed of pepper.
Meaning: Light-colored seed of pepper (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 白 (white) and 胡椒 (pepper), literally meaning "white pepper".
How do you pronounce it?
baak6 wu4 ziu1
Did you know?
- While 白胡椒 is a spice, the word 胡椒 sounds nearly identical to a Cantonese phrase meaning 'to be scolded' or 'to be lectured'.
- The word for pepper 胡椒 begins with 胡, a term historically used to describe non-Han foreigners from Central Asia. This reveals that pepper was viewed as an exotic import from the 'Barbarian' West.
- The term 胡椒 was once so valuable in ancient China that it was used as a form of currency and a tribute paid to the imperial court.
Examples in context
- 我想要一包白胡椒。ngo5 soeng2 jiu3 jat1 baau1 baak6 wu4 ziu1.I want a bag of white pepper.
- 呢種白胡椒好香。ni1 zung2 baak6 wu4 ziu1 hou2 hoeng1.This white pepper is very fragrant.
- 煮湯時可以加少少白胡椒。zyu2 tong1 si4 ho2 ji5 gaa1 siu2 siu2 baak6 wu4 ziu1.You can add a little white pepper when making soup.
Example conversation
Yating and Kamming are seasoning their food at dinner.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting家明，你要白胡椒嗎？ga1 ming4, nei5 jiu3 baak6 wu4 jiu1 maa1?Kamming, do you want white pepper?
- 家明 Ka Ming唔使，我鍾意黑胡椒。m4 sai2, ngo5 zung1 ji3 haak1 wu4 jiu1.No thanks, I prefer black pepper.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting但係呢個菜啱用白胡椒。daan6 si6 ni1 go3 coi3 aam1 jung6 baak6 wu4 jiu1.But this dish goes well with white pepper.
- 家明 Ka Ming咁我試下啦。gam2 ngo5 si3 haa5 laa1.In that case, I'll try some.
