seoi2 tou2 bat1 fuk6水土不服

Jyutpingseoi2 tou2 bat1 fuk6

Yaleséui tóu bāt fuhk

語句

Definition

To feel unwell due to being unaccustomed to the local climate, water, or environment of a new place.

colloquialhealthtravel

How it's used

Often used to describe physical symptoms like stomach upsets or fatigue after traveling to a new region. It implies that the body has not yet adapted to the local water, food, or air quality. While it sounds formal, it is frequently used in casual conversation to explain why someone is feeling under the weather after a trip.

Examples

keoi5佢heoi3去jyun4完leoi5旅hang4行faan1返lai4嚟seoi2水tou2土bat1不fuk6服，beng6病zo2咗gei2幾jat6日。

He came back from his trip and felt unwell due to the change in environment, and was sick for a few days.

nei5你dai6第jat1一ci1次heoi3去gam3咁jyun5遠dei6地fong1方，wui2會m4唔wui2會seoi2水tou2土bat1不fuk6服aa1呀？

You are going to such a far place for the first time, will you have trouble adjusting to the climate?

Common phrases

ceot1出jin6現seoi2水tou2土bat1不fuk6服

to experience symptoms of climate maladjustment

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply catching a cold or having food poisoning. It specifically refers to the body's struggle to acclimatize to a new geographical location rather than a specific virus or bad food.