siu2 coeng2 hei3小腸氣小肠气
Jyutpingsiu2 coeng2 hei3
Yalesíu chéung hei
Definition
Hernia, especially an inguinal hernia or a hernia involving the intestines.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
This term is the standard colloquial way to refer to a hernia in Hong Kong, particularly inguinal hernias. It is widely understood by the general public, even though it is technically a medical condition. In a formal clinical setting, doctors might use the more technical term 疝氣, but patients almost exclusively use 小腸氣 when describing their symptoms.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He has been complaining of stomach pain lately, it turns out he has a hernia.
The doctor said his hernia is very serious and he needs surgery immediately.
Related words
Common phrases
to have hernia surgery
to develop a hernia
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general stomach aches or indigestion. While the name contains the word for small intestine, it refers to the physical protrusion of tissue through a weak spot in the abdominal wall, not a digestive illness.
Grammar color guide
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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.
