ng5 zok3仵作
Jyutpingng5 zok3
Yaleńgh jok
Definition
Coroner in ancient China; a person who performs autopsies.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Historically, this role was considered a low-status occupation due to the taboo surrounding death and corpses. In modern Hong Kong, the term is rarely used to describe contemporary forensic pathologists, who are instead referred to as 法醫. Using this word today almost exclusively evokes the atmosphere of historical dramas or traditional Chinese detective fiction.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
You often see coroners examining bodies in period dramas.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe a modern medical examiner or forensic pathologist, as it carries a strong historical connotation and is not a professional title in today's medical system.
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.
