zung1 sing4 joek6中成藥中成药
Jyutpingzung1 sing4 joek6
Yalejūng sìhng yeuhk
Definition
Proprietary Chinese medicine; over-the-counter Chinese medicine prepared in advance and sold without a prescription.
neutralhealthshopping
How it's used
Distinguish this from raw herbs that require a decoction process, as these are pre-packaged and ready for immediate consumption. They are strictly regulated in Hong Kong and must display a registration number on the packaging to be legally sold. People often reach for these for minor ailments like coughs or indigestion without needing to consult a practitioner first.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
Where can I buy these proprietary Chinese medicines?
Related words
Common phrases
registered proprietary Chinese medicine
to buy proprietary Chinese medicine
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with generic herbal medicine, which usually refers to raw, unrefined ingredients. Using this term for a bag of loose herbs from a traditional pharmacy is technically incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
