pei4 wai6脾胃
Jyutpingpei4 wai6
Yalepèih waih
Definition
The digestive system, often referred to in traditional Chinese medicine.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
While originating from traditional Chinese medicine to describe the spleen and stomach as a functional unit, this term is frequently used in everyday speech to refer to one's general digestive health. It often appears when discussing how certain foods or weather conditions affect how one feels after eating. It carries a slightly more holistic nuance than simply referring to the stomach alone.
Examples
The weather has been humid lately, which has made my digestion really poor.
Since your digestion is weak, remember to eat something light.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 胃口, which refers specifically to appetite. Using 脾胃 implies a concern about the internal health or functional state of the digestive system rather than just the desire to eat.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
