zing1 cung4精蟲精虫
Jyutpingzing1 cung4
Yalejīng chùhng
Definition
Spermatozoon; sperm.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
This term is the standard biological and colloquial way to refer to sperm in Cantonese. It is used in both medical contexts and casual conversation without being overly clinical or vulgar. While it literally translates to 'sperm insect', it is the accepted term for the male reproductive cell.
Examples
He said he wants to have a kid, so he needs to check his sperm count.
Do you know how long a spermatozoon lives?
Related words
Common phrases
sperm count
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in highly formal medical documents, where the more technical term 精子 is preferred. Using 精蟲 in a professional clinical setting might sound slightly informal or uneducated.
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.
