zi6 bai3 zing3自閉症自闭症
Jyutpingzi6 bai3 zing3
Yalejih bai jing
Definition
Autism; a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication.
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How it's used
Medical terminology like this is often used in formal or clinical contexts, but it has also entered everyday speech as a slang term for someone who is socially withdrawn or prefers to be alone. When used in this casual, non-clinical way, it can be perceived as insensitive or offensive by those who are neurodivergent. It is safer to use more descriptive phrases like 唔鍾意社交 or 鍾意自己一個 when describing someone's personality.
Examples
He was diagnosed with autism when he was young.
Do you know what the characteristics of autism are?
Common phrases
diagnosed with autism
suffering from autism
Common mistake
Avoid using this word as a casual insult or a label for someone who is simply shy or quiet, as it trivializes a complex developmental condition.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
