ling4 daan1 miu6 joek6靈丹妙藥灵丹妙药
Jyutpingling4 daan1 miu6 joek6
Yalelìhng dāan miuh yeuhk
Definition
Panacea; a miraculous medicine that cures all diseases, or a perfect solution to a problem.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Often used in a skeptical tone to debunk the idea that a single solution can fix complex, deep-rooted issues. While it carries a sense of magical efficacy, it is almost always used in the negative to highlight that such a perfect cure does not exist in reality. It is a common rhetorical device in political or social commentary to warn against oversimplification.
Examples
This method is not a panacea; it cannot solve all the problems.
Related words
Common phrases
is by no means a panacea
to search for a panacea
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use it to mean a simple 'good idea' or 'effective tip', but it is much stronger than that. It implies a total, miraculous cure-all, so using it for minor solutions sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
