gam3 sik6禁食
Jyutpinggam3 sik6
Yalegam sihk
Definition
To fast; to stop eating for a period of time.
neutralhealthdaily actions
How it's used
Focuses primarily on medical or religious contexts where abstaining from food is a strict requirement. Unlike the more general term 節食 which implies a conscious effort to restrict calories for weight loss, 禁食 carries a sense of mandatory or temporary prohibition. It is frequently used by doctors when instructing patients to remain empty-stomached before procedures.
Examples
You must fast before the surgery, otherwise it is very dangerous.
Are you fasting all day because you are on a diet?
Related words
Common phrases
preoperative fasting
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 節食, which refers to dieting or cutting down on food intake for health or aesthetic reasons. 禁食 implies a complete cessation of eating for a specific duration.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
