kong3 sang1 sou3抗生素
Jyutpingkong3 sang1 sou3
Yalekong sāng sou
Definition
Antibiotic; a class of medicine used to treat bacterial or parasitic infections by killing or inhibiting microorganisms.
neutralhealth
How it's used
People often mistakenly believe that antibiotics are a universal cure for any kind of infection. It is important to remember that they are strictly for bacterial infections and have zero effect on viral illnesses like the common cold or flu. Overusing them is a major concern in Hong Kong, as it leads to the development of drug resistant bacteria.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
The doctor said you must finish this course of antibiotics.
Your cold is caused by a virus, is taking antibiotics even useful?
Related words
Common phrases
antibiotic abuse
antibiotic resistance
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 抗生素 with general painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Using it to describe treatment for a viral fever is a common medical misconception that should be avoided.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.



