gam1 gai1 naap6 soeng1金雞納霜金鸡纳霜
Jyutpinggam1 gai1 naap6 soeng1
Yalegām gāi naahp sēung
Definition
Quinine; a type of medication.
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How it's used
This term is largely historical and refers to the bitter-tasting powder derived from cinchona bark, which was once the primary treatment for malaria. It is rarely used in modern medical contexts today, as it has been replaced by more effective synthetic antimalarials. Older generations in Hong Kong may still use it to refer to bitter medicine in general.
Examples
People used to take quinine when they were sick back then.
Do you know where they still sell quinine?
Related words
Common phrases
to take quinine
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with modern pharmaceutical names, as it is an archaic term that sounds very old-fashioned to younger speakers.
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.
