beng6 zo2病咗
Jyutpingbeng6 zo2
Yalebehng jó
Definition
To fall ill or get sick.
colloquialhealth
How it's used
The particle 咗 indicates the change of state from healthy to ill, marking the onset of the illness. It is the standard way to express 'fell sick' or 'have caught a cold' in casual conversation. Unlike the formal term 患病, which sounds clinical, 病咗 is used for everyday ailments like the flu or a fever.
Examples
He fell sick a few days ago and cannot go to work today.
Are you sick? Why do you look so pale?
Related words
Common phrases
need to see a doctor when sick
Common mistake
Avoid using 患病 in casual speech as it sounds like a formal medical diagnosis or a written report. Also, do not confuse 病咗 with 唔舒服, as the latter is a broader term for feeling unwell or uncomfortable, which does not necessarily imply a specific illness.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
