sing4 joek6成藥成药

Jyutpingsing4 joek6

Yalesìhng yeuhk

名詞Common

Definition

Over-the-counter medicine. Usually refers to Western medicine; Chinese medicine is referred to as "ziung1 sing4 joek6".

neutralhealth

How it's used

Refers specifically to medications that do not require a prescription from a doctor. While it can technically encompass both Western and Chinese medicine, it is most frequently used in a pharmacy setting to distinguish pre-packaged, ready-to-use items from those prepared by a practitioner. In the context of traditional medicine, the term 中成藥 is preferred to avoid ambiguity.

Measure word

zung3種jung

Examples

ni1呢di1啲sing4成joek6藥joek6藥fong4房dou1都jau5有dak1得maai6賣。

These over-the-counter drugs are available at pharmacies.

nei5你m4唔syu1舒fuk6服zau6就heoi3去maai5買hap6盒sing4成joek6藥sik6食laa1啦。

If you are feeling unwell, go buy a box of over-the-counter medicine.

Common phrases

maai5買sing4成joek6藥

buy over-the-counter medicine

sing4成joek6藥baau1包zong1裝

over-the-counter medicine packaging

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with prescription medicine, which requires a doctor's authorization. It is important to note that even if a drug is sold over the counter, it should still be used according to the instructions on the packaging.