duk1 taam4篤痰笃痰
Jyutpingduk1 taam4
Yaledūk tàahm
Definition
A glob or spit of phlegm.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
Refers specifically to the physical act of clearing phlegm from the throat or chest, often implying a forceful or deliberate effort. It is a very visceral, colloquial term that is best avoided in polite or formal company. When someone says they need to 篤痰, they are usually describing a persistent, annoying sensation that requires immediate relief.
Examples
His throat feels very uncomfortable, he keeps wanting to cough up phlegm.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the general medical term for phlegm, which is 痰. 篤痰 is a verb phrase describing the action of clearing it, not a noun for the substance itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
