肺
fai3
The Cantonese word for 'lungs' is 肺 (fai3).
肺 refers to the pair of organs used for breathing in humans and most other animals.
How do you pronounce it?
fai3
Did you know?
- In Cantonese medicine, the concept of 肺 extends far beyond biology to include the skin, as the lungs are believed to control the body's external protection.
- In Cantonese, the word 肺 is used in the phrase 肺腑之言 to describe words spoken from the bottom of one's heart and lungs, meaning a deeply sincere confession.
- The character 肺 contains the radical 月 on the left, which in this context does not mean 'moon' but is a shorthand for 'flesh' or 'body part'.
Examples in context
- 佢嘅肺部好健康。keoi5 ge3 fai3 bou6 hou2 gin6 hong1.Her lungs are very healthy.
- 醫生檢查咗佢嘅肺。ji1 sang1 gim2 caa4 zo2 keoi5 ge3 fai3.The doctor checked his lungs.
Example conversation
A man is talking to a woman about health advice.
- 家明 Ka Ming你應該要保護好你嘅肺。nei5 jing1 goi1 jiu3 bou2 wu6 hou2 nei5 ge3 fai3.You should protect your lungs well.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我知道，我會戒煙嘅。ngo5 zi1 dou6, ngo5 wui5 gaai3 jin1 ge3.I know, I will quit smoking.
- 家明 Ka Ming對身體好，肺部先會健康。deoi3 san1 tai2 hou2, fai3 bou6 sin1 wui5 gin6 hong1.It is good for the body, so the lungs will be healthy.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan多謝你嘅提醒。do1 ze6 nei5 ge3 tai4 sing4.Thank you for the reminder.
