副作用 fùzuòyòng side effect
How to remember 副作用: 副 measure word for pairs and sets + 作 do + 用 to use (Kangxi radical 101) = side effect.
Characters
How it is used
- An unwanted secondary effect, esp. of medicine - 这种药副作用很小 (zhè zhǒng yào fùzuòyòng hěn xiǎo) this drug has few side effects.
- Extends to policies/actions: 政策的副作用 the unintended downside of a policy.
- Always the negative by-product; the neutral 'effect' is 作用 or 影响.
Example sentences
- 这药没有副作用。 Zhèyào méiyǒu fùzuòyòng.This medicine has no side effects.