taam4痰
Jyutpingtaam4
Yaletàahm
Definition
Phlegm or sputum; mucus secreted by the respiratory tract.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
The measure word 篤 is specifically used for a small amount or a single glob of phlegm. It is often used in medical contexts or when describing symptoms to a doctor, but it is also common in casual complaints about feeling congested.
Measure word
duk1篤dūkExamples
My throat is very itchy, it feels like there is a lot of phlegm.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 痰 with 鼻涕, which refers to nasal mucus. While both are types of mucus, 痰 specifically originates from the respiratory tract and is associated with coughing.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
