視光師
si6 gwong1 si1
The Cantonese word for optometrist is 視光師 (si6 gwong1 si1).
視光師 refers to a person trained in examining and testing the eyes for defects.
Meaning: person trained in examining and testing the eyes for defects (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 視光師 is composed of 視 (vision/see), 光 (light) and 師 (master/professional).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish 視光師 from 眼科醫生, which means ophthalmologist. While 視光師 focuses on vision testing and glasses, 眼科醫生 refers to a medical doctor specializing in eye diseases and surgery.
How do you pronounce it?
si6 gwong1 si1
Did you know?
- The character 視 used in 視光師 is the same root used in the Cantonese word for 'television', 電視, which literally means 'electric vision'.
- While 視光師 is the professional title, many people in Hong Kong simply say they are going to an 眼鏡舖, which literally means 'glasses shop', regardless of whether they are seeing a specialist.
- The character 師 in 視光師 is the same one used in 老師 (teacher) and 師傅 (master/skilled worker), reflecting a cultural view of a highly skilled professional as a 'master' of their craft.
Examples in context
- 最近我睇眼醫生，發現眼睛度數有變化。Recently, I went to the optometrist and found that my eye prescription has changed.
- 呢位視光師好專業。ni1 wai2 si6 gwong1 si1 hou2 zyun1 jip6.This optometrist is very professional.
- 我想搵視光師驗眼。ngo5 soeng2 wan2 si6 gwong1 si1 jim3 ngaan5.I want to find an optometrist to check my eyes.
- 佢係一位好有名嘅視光師。keoi5 hai6 jat1 wai2 hou2 jau5 ming4 ge3 si6 gwong1 si1.He is a very famous optometrist.
Example conversation
Meiling and Zikien are discussing their vision problems.
- 美玲 Mei Ling子健，你對眼唔舒服呀？zi2 gin6, nei5 deoi3 ngaan5 m4 syu1 fuk6 aa3?Zikien, are your eyes uncomfortable?
- 子健 Tsz Kin係呀，我想去睇視光師。hai6 aa3, ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 tai2 si6 gwong1 si1.Yes, I want to go see an optometrist.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你有冇邊個視光師介紹？nei5 jau5 mou5 bin1 go3 si6 gwong1 si1 gai3 siu3?Do you have an optometrist to recommend?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我問下我朋友先。ngo5 man6 haa5 ngo5 pang4 jau5 sin1.I will ask my friend first.
