on1 fei1 taa1 ming6安非他命
Jyutpingon1 fei1 taa1 ming6
Yaleōn fēi tā mihng
Definition
Amphetamine; also commonly used to refer to methamphetamine, known as ice.
neutralhealthother
How it's used
While technically referring to a class of stimulants, the term is almost exclusively used in legal, medical, or news contexts when discussing drug abuse. In casual street slang, people almost always use the term 冰 to refer to methamphetamine. Using the full chemical name sounds clinical or formal, similar to how one might use a scientific name in English instead of a street name.
Examples
He was arrested for possessing amphetamines.
These amphetamines cause great harm to the body.
Related words
Common phrases
to consume amphetamines
to traffic amphetamines
Common mistake
Do not confuse the formal name with street terminology. Using the full term in a casual conversation about drug use can sound overly detached or like you are reading from a police report.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
