fong4 jik6 zam1防疫針防疫针
Jyutpingfong4 jik6 zam1
Yalefòhng yihk jām
Definition
Vaccine; a prophylactic inoculation.
colloquialhealth
How it's used
People in Hong Kong almost exclusively use the verb 打 when referring to receiving this injection. While the term is understood in formal contexts, it is frequently replaced by the specific name of the vaccine or the more general term 針 in casual conversation. It carries a slightly more clinical or official tone compared to simply saying 打針.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
Remember to get more rest after receiving the vaccination.
Related words
Common phrases
to get a vaccination
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 疫苗, which is the formal noun for the vaccine substance itself. Learners often use 疫苗 as a verb, but it is not used that way in Cantonese; always use 打 with 防疫針 or 針.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
