sai1 joek6西藥西药
Jyutpingsai1 joek6
Yalesāi yeuhk
Definition
Western medicine or medication.
neutralhealth
How it's used
Distinguishing between Western and Chinese medicine is a fundamental part of daily life in Hong Kong. People often switch between the two depending on the ailment, and it is common to hear someone ask if you prefer to see a doctor for 西藥 or 中藥. Unlike some cultures where medicine is just medicine, here the distinction often implies different philosophies of treatment.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Have you taken your Western medicine yet?
This Western medicine is very strong, you will feel very sleepy after taking it.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse 西藥 with 藥丸, which specifically means pills or tablets. While many 西藥 come in pill form, the term 西藥 refers to the category of medicine itself, whereas 藥丸 refers to the physical shape or format of the medication.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
