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Jyutpinghung4 hung3
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Definition
Mercurochrome, a topical antiseptic.
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How it's used
Mercurochrome was once a staple in every Hong Kong household medicine cabinet for treating minor cuts and scrapes. Its distinct bright red color made it easy to see where the antiseptic had been applied, though it has largely been replaced by modern, colorless alternatives like povidone-iodine or hydrogen peroxide in recent years. Many younger generations may recognize the name but rarely use it in practice.
Examples
Apply some mercurochrome to the wound, it will heal up very quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with iodine, which is known as 碘酒. While both are used for disinfection, they are chemically different substances with distinct appearances.
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.
