敏感
man5 gam2
The Cantonese word for "allergic" is 敏感 (man5 gam2).
In a medical context, 敏感 is the standard way to express that someone is allergic. To say someone is "allergic to [something]", use the structure 對 [thing] 敏感.
Meaning: having an allergy (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 敏感 literally means "sensitive".
Which one should you use?
While 敏感 can mean "sensitive" in a psychological or emotional sense, in a medical context, it is the standard way to express having an allergy.
How do you pronounce it?
man5 gam2
Did you know?
- In a political context, 敏感 can describe 'sensitive' topics or dates that are censored or restricted by the government.
- Cantonese uses the same word 敏感 for both a peanut allergy and the sensitivity of a high-quality microphone.
- When discussing food allergies, Cantonese speakers often use the phrase 唔食得 (m4 sik6 dak1), which literally means 'cannot eat'. This is frequently used in social settings to inform hosts about dietary restrictions without using formal medical terminology.
Examples in context
- 我對花粉有敏感。I'm allergic to pollen.
- 我食咗蝦有過敏反應。I had an allergic reaction to shrimp.
- 我對花生好敏感。ngo5 deoi3 faa1 sang1 hou2 man5 gam2.I am very allergic to peanuts.
- 佢對貓毛好敏感。keoi5 deoi3 maau1 mou4 hou2 man5 gam2.He is very allergic to cat hair.
- 你係咪對海鮮敏感？nei5 hai6 mei6 deoi3 hoi2 sin1 man5 gam2?Are you allergic to seafood?
Example conversation
Hiu Tung and Ka Ming are choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我哋去食泰國菜好唔好？ngo5 dei6 heoi3 sik6 tai3 gwok3 coi3 hou2 m4 hou2?How about we go eat Thai food?
- 家明 Ka Ming唔得，我對蝦敏感。m4 dak1, ngo5 deoi3 haa1 man2 gan2.I can't, I am allergic to shrimp.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung唔好意思，我唔知。m4 hou2 ji3 si1, ngo5 m4 zi1.I'm sorry, I didn't know.
- 家明 Ka Ming唔緊要，我哋去食日料啦。m4 gan2 jiu3, ngo5 dei6 heoi3 sik6 jat6 liu2 laa1.It's okay, let's go eat Japanese food instead.
