薯
syu4
The Cantonese word for "yam" is 薯 (syu4).
薯 refers to an edible root or tuber. In practice, it is rarely used as a standalone noun to name a specific vegetable in spoken Cantonese. Instead, it typically functions as a component or prefix in compound words to specify a particular type of starchy root.
Meaning: its edible root (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 薯 serves as a general term for tubers, it is almost always part of a compound word. For example, it appears in words like 薯仔 (potato) or 薯條 (fries) rather than being used alone to refer to a specific vegetable.
How does it change in a sentence?
薯 is a noun used as a prefix or a component in various compound words for different types of tubers or starchy roots.
How do you pronounce it?
syu4
Did you know?
- The word 薯仔 for 'potato' uses the suffix 仔, which literally means 'small child' or 'little one', treating the potato as a 'little tuber'.
- Although 薯 means 'tuber', the word for 'sweet potato' is 番薯, where 番 historically referred to things coming from foreign lands.
- The character 薯 contains the 'grass' radical on top, even though the plant grows as a root underground.
Examples in context
- 我喺超市買咗一個番薯。I bought a yam at the supermarket.
- 科學研究顯示番薯富含維生素。Scientific research indicates that yams are rich in vitamins.
- 我想食薯。ngo5 soeng2 sik6 syu4.I want to eat yam.
- 呢個薯好甜。ni1 go3 syu4 hou2 tim4.This yam is very sweet.
- 買薯要買新鮮啲嘅。maai5 syu4 jiu3 maai5 san1 sin1 di1 ge3.You should buy fresh yams.
Example conversation
Ka Yan and Jun Jie are shopping for groceries together.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan俊傑，我哋買唔買薯？zyun3 zit3, ngo5 dei6 maai5 m4 maai5 syu2Jun Jie, should we buy some yam?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit買啦，我好想食薯。maai5 laa1, ngo5 hou2 soeng2 sik6 syu2Yes, I really want to eat yam.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan咁買呢個大薯吧。gam2 maai5 ni1 go3 daai6 syu2 baa1Then let's buy this big yam.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，放入購物籃。hou2, fong3 jap6 gau3 mat6 laan4Okay, put it in the shopping basket.
