san6 kwai1腎虧肾亏
Jyutpingsan6 kwai1
Yalesahn kwāi
Definition
Shenkui; a deficiency of vital energy in the kidneys according to traditional Chinese medicine.
colloquialhealth
How it's used
Often used in a joking or teasing manner rather than as a formal medical diagnosis. It frequently appears in advertisements for traditional health supplements or herbal tonics that promise to restore vitality. Because of its association with sexual health and virility, it is rarely used in serious professional medical settings.
Examples
He always says he has a kidney deficiency and needs to drink more nourishing soups.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with actual kidney disease, which is a clinical condition requiring a doctor. Using this term to describe a real medical problem like kidney failure will cause significant confusion and misunderstanding.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
