洗腎
sai2 san6
The English phrase dialysis is translated into Cantonese as 洗腎 (sai2 san6).
The term refers to the medical process of the artificial removal of waste products from the blood.
Meaning: medicine: artificial removal of waste products from the blood (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
洗腎 is composed of the verb 洗 (sai2), meaning 'to wash' and the noun 腎 (san6), meaning 'kidney'.
Which one should you use?
透析 is the formal term. More informally, some may use the term 洗血.
How do you pronounce it?
sai2 san6
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word for kidney, 腎, is also the root for many common terms related to essence or physical stamina, such as 'kidney tonic'.
- Unlike English, where 'dialysis' is a technical loanword from Greek, the common Cantonese term uses a 'verb-noun' structure that describes the action as a household chore.
- The character 洗 used in 洗腎 is the same word used for 'washing' a car, 'washing' hair or even 'washing' away a debt.
Examples in context
- 佢需要定期洗腎。keoi5 seoi1 jiu3 ding4 kei4 sai2 san4.He needs regular dialysis.
- 呢間醫院提供洗腎服務。ni1 gaan1 ji1 jyun2 tai4 cung4 hei3 sai2 san4 fuk6 mou6.This hospital provides dialysis services.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a relative's health.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan志強，你個爺爺點樣呀？zi3 keong4, nei5 go3 je4 je2 dim2 joeng2 aa3?Chi Keung, how is your grandfather doing?
- 志強 Chi Keung佢最近要去洗腎。keoi5 zeoi3 gan6 jiu1 heoi3 sai2 san6.He has to go for dialysis recently.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan咁樣係咪好辛苦？gam2 joeng2 hai6 mai4 hou2 san1 fu2?Is it very exhausting to do that?
- 志強 Chi Keung係，但係係必須嘅。hai6, daan6 hai6 hai6 bit1 seoi1 ge3.Yes, but it is necessary.
