轉介
zyun2 gaai3
The Cantonese word for referral is 轉介 (zyun2 gaai3).
轉介 refers to the act or process of transferring. In professional or medical settings, it is common to see the compound 轉介信 (zyun2 gaai3 seon3), which means a referral letter.
Meaning: act or process of transferring (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 轉介 is composed of two parts: 轉 (zyun2), meaning 'to transfer' or 'to turn' and 介 (gaai3), meaning 'to mediate' or 'to introduce'.
Which one should you use?
推薦 is a formal term for referral, whereas 轉介 is a formal term for referral referring to redirecting someone to another person or place.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 轉介 can also function as a verb meaning 'to refer' or 'to transfer' a case/person.
How do you pronounce it?
zyun2 gaai3
Did you know?
- While 轉介 is used for professional transfers, Cantonese speakers use the word 介紹 (gaai3 siu3) for social introductions. Using 轉介 to introduce a friend to someone would sound like you are treating your friend as a medical case or a legal file.
- In Hong Kong's medical system, a 轉介信 (zyun2 gaai3 seon3) is often a physical requirement to access specialists. Without this specific piece of paper, patients may face significantly longer wait times or be denied entry to public specialist clinics.
- If you are looking for a referral in a job context specifically, you might encounter the word 引薦 (jan5 cin3), which implies a more prestigious or high-level introduction.
Examples in context
- 醫生建議我轉介去另一個科室The doctor suggested that I get a referral to another department.
- 我想攞個好餐廳嘅推介I want to get a good restaurant referral.
- 可以問你啲私家醫生有冇好推介?Can I ask if you have any good referrals for private doctors?
- 呢個轉介程序好複雜。ni1 go3 zyun3 gaai3 cing4 zeoi6 hou2 fuk1 zaap3.This referral process is very complicated.
- 醫生已經幫我做咗轉介。ji1 sang1 ji5 ging1 bong1 ngo5 zou6 zo2 zyun3 gaai3.The doctor has already made a referral for me.
- 我需要一份轉介信。ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 jat1 fan6 zyun3 gaai3 seon3.I need a referral letter.
Example conversation
Hiu Tung is talking to Ka Ming about her medical appointment.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung家明，你知道點樣做轉介嗎？gaa1 ming4, nei5 zi1 dou6 dim2 joeng2 zou6 zyun2 gaai3 maa1?Ka Ming, do you know how to do a referral?
- 家明 Ka Ming你要先睇家庭醫生。nei5 jiu3 sin1 tai2 gaa1 ting4 ji1 sang1.You need to see a family doctor first.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung明白，我想經轉介睇眼科醫生。ming4 baak6, ngo5 soeng2 ging1 zyun2 gaai3 tai2 ngaan5 fo1 ji1 sang1.I understand, I want to see an ophthalmologist via referral.
- 家明 Ka Ming咁就冇問題，快啲去預約吧。gam2 zau6 mou5 mun4 tai4, faai3 di1 heoi3 jyu6 joek3 baa1.Then there's no problem, go make an appointment quickly.
