kang2 geng2鯁頸鲠颈
Jyutpingkang2 geng2
Yalekáng géng
Definition
To choke or have food stuck in one's throat or esophagus.
colloquialfoodhealth
How it's used
Describes the specific sensation of having a solid object, typically a fish bone or dry food, stuck in the throat. While often used literally for food, it can also metaphorically describe a situation where someone is unable to speak their mind or feels suppressed by an authority figure. It is a very common concern in Cantonese culture, especially when serving fish dishes to children or the elderly.
Examples
It is very easy to choke if you are not careful when eating fish.
Are you choking? Quickly take a sip of water.
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the general word for choking on air or liquid, which is 嗆親. Use 鯁頸 specifically for solid objects that physically obstruct the esophagus.
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.
