中風
zung3 fung1
The Cantonese word for 'stroke' is 中風 (zung3 fung1).
中風 refers to a stroke, which is the loss of brain function caused by a sudden interruption of the blood supply to the brain. This term is used both as a noun to name the medical condition and as a verb meaning 'to have a stroke'.
Meaning: loss of brain function arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 中, meaning 'hit' or 'strike' and 風, meaning 'wind' or 'wind-related illness'.
How do you pronounce it?
zung3 fung1
Did you know?
- The character 風 (wind) in 中風 is part of a traditional medical concept where illnesses are categorized by the elemental forces that 'invaded' the body.
- The word 風 in 中風 is also used in the phrase 風聲, which refers to a 'rumor' or 'whisper' of news, linking the idea of 'wind' to the sudden arrival of invisible information.
- The character 中 in 中風 is the same character used to mean 'center' or 'middle', but in this context, it functions as a verb meaning 'to be hit by a target'.
Examples in context
- 佢有中風嘅徵兆。keoi5 jau5 zung1 fung1 ge3 zing1 zou2.He has symptoms of a stroke.
- 佢爺爺中風咗。keoi5 je4 je4 zung1 fung1 zo2.His grandfather had a stroke.
