hoi1 dou1開刀开刀
Jyutpinghoi1 dou1
Yalehōi dōu
Definition
To undergo or perform surgery; also to punish or take action against someone as a target.
- to undergo or perform surgery
- figurativeto punish, discipline, or take harsh action against someone
colloquialhealthdaily actions
How it's used
Beyond the literal medical context, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a situation where someone is being heavily criticized or punished, similar to being put under the spotlight. It implies a sharp, decisive action taken against someone, often in a professional or disciplinary setting. When used in this figurative sense, it carries a sense of severity and finality.
Examples
The doctor says surgery is a must, otherwise it's very dangerous.
Do you really need to have surgery? Is there any other way?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor medical procedures like getting stitches or a simple injection, as it specifically refers to invasive surgery involving incisions. Using it for minor treatments sounds overly dramatic and incorrect.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
