sing1 hung4 jit6猩紅熱猩红热
Definition
Scarlet fever; a bacterial infection caused by group A streptococcus that causes a red skin rash.
How it's used
Medical terminology in Cantonese often follows a hybrid pattern where specific disease names are borrowed directly from written Chinese but are integrated into spoken sentences using Cantonese grammar particles. While parents might use this term when discussing symptoms with a doctor, they often describe the physical manifestation simply as 出紅疹 or 發燒 when talking casually to friends. It is treated as a formal noun that rarely appears in slang or casual banter.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general rashes or heat rash, which are common in the humid climate of Hong Kong. Always remember that this is a specific bacterial infection requiring antibiotics, not just a skin irritation.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
