白內障
baak6 noi6 zoeng3
The English word "cataract" is translated into Cantonese as 白內障 (baak6 noi6 zoeng3).
白內障 is used to refer to the medical condition involving the clouding of the lens in the eye.
Meaning: clouding of the lens in the eye (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the characters 白 (white), 內 (inside) and 障 (obstruction/barrier), literally meaning "white inside obstruction".
How do you pronounce it?
baak6 noi6 zoeng3
Did you know?
- While 白內障 is the technical term, people often use the phrase 眼濛濛 to describe the actual feeling of blurry vision. The word 濛濛 mimics the hazy appearance of a mist or fog.
- The character 障 is used in both 白內障 and 殘障 (disability). This highlights a conceptual link in the language where medical conditions are viewed as 'barriers' to a person's function.
- The character 白 in 白內障 can also mean 'in vain' or 'for nothing'. For example, if someone does something uselessly, a Cantonese speaker might say they did it 白白.
Examples in context
- 我婆婆要接受白內障手術。My grandmother needs surgery for cataracts.
- 白內障係老年人士常見嘅問題。Cataracts are common in older adults.
- 佢患咗白內障。keoi5 waan6 zo2 baak6 noi6 zoeng1.He has cataracts.
- 白內障會影響視力。baak6 noi6 zoeng1 wui5 jing2 hoeng2 si6 lik6.Cataracts affect vision.
- 醫生話我有一點白內障。ji1 sang1 waa6 ngo5 jau5 jat1 dim2 baak6 noi6 zoeng1.The doctor said I have a bit of a cataract.
Example conversation
At a clinic after a checkup.
- 家明 Ka Ming醫生點樣講你隻眼呀？ji1 sang1 dim2 joeng2 nei5 zek3 ngaan5 aa3?What did the doctor say about your eye?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan醫生話我有白內障。ji1 sang1 waa6 ngo5 jau5 baak6 noi6 zoeng1.The doctor said I have a cataract.
- 家明 Ka Ming嚴重嗎？jim4 zung6 maa1?Is it serious?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan仲未好嚴重，但要留意。zung6 mei6 hou2 jim4 zung6, daan6 jiu3 lau4 ji3.It's not too serious yet, but I need to watch it.
