治療師
zi6 liu4 si1
The Cantonese word for therapist is 治療師 (zi6 liu4 si1).
治療師 is a general term used to refer to a therapist or a practitioner.
Meaning: one who provides therapy (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 治療 (zi6 liu4), meaning 'to treat/cure' and 師 (si1), meaning 'master/professional/specialist'.
Which one should you use?
You can specify the type of therapist by adding a prefix to 治療師. To specify a physiotherapist, use 物理治療師 by adding 物理 (mat6 lei5), meaning 'physical'. To specify a speech therapist, use 言語治療師 by adding 言語 (jin4 jyu5), meaning 'language/speech'.
How do you pronounce it?
zi6 liu4 si1
Did you know?
- While 治療師 is the professional term, Cantonese speakers often use 心理醫生 ('psychological doctor') for therapists, even if the person is not a medical doctor.
- In Hong Kong, people often mix Cantonese and English by calling a therapist a 'therapist' or 'psychologist' mid-sentence, as the English terms are seen as more specific in clinical settings.
- The character 師 in 治療師 is the same one used for 'teacher' 老師 and 'master' in martial arts, reflecting a historical view of professionals as masters of a craft.
Examples in context
- 他是一位心理治療師。He is a therapist.
- 有時候，同心理醫生傾下就覺得好多了。Sometimes, just talking to a therapist makes me feel so much better.
- 佢係一位物理治療師。keoi5 hai6 jat1 wai2 wai6 lei5 zi6 liu2 si1.He is a physical therapist.
- 呢位治療師好專業。ni1 wai2 zi6 liu2 si1 hou2 zyun1 jip6.This therapist is very professional.
Example conversation
Mei Ling and Chi Keung are talking about health at a cafe.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你最近點樣呀？nei5 zeoi3 gan6 dim2 joeng2 aa3?How have you been lately?
- 志強 Chi Keung我睇咗物理治療師，好返咗好多。ngo5 tai2 zo2 wai6 lei5 zi6 liu2 si1, hou2 faan1 zo2 hou2 do1.I saw a physical therapist, and I feel much better.
- 美玲 Mei Ling真係太好喇！zan1 hai6 taai3 hou2 laa3!That is great!
- 志強 Chi Keung係呀，個治療師好有耐性。hai6 aa3, go3 zi6 liu2 si1 hou2 jau5 noi6 sing3.Yes, the therapist is very patient.
