过敏
guò mǐn
The Chinese word for allergies is 过敏 (guò mǐn).
过敏 is used to describe the condition where the body reacts badly to a particular substance. To describe the specific physiological event of an allergic reaction, use 过敏反应.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 过敏 is composed of 过 (excessive/pass/over) and 敏 (sensitive/quick), literally meaning "excessive sensitivity".
Which one should you use?
While 过敏 refers to the general condition of allergies, 过敏反应 refers specifically to the physiological allergic reaction itself. For highly technical medical contexts, the term 变应性反应 can be used to describe allergic reactions.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say that someone is allergic to a specific substance, use the structure 对 [substance] 过敏.
How do you pronounce it?
guò mǐn
Did you know?
- In some Southern dialects, people might refer to a skin allergy as 风疹 meaning 'wind rash', reflecting traditional beliefs about wind causing skin irritations.
- In Chinese, 过敏 can be used as a metaphor for being hypersensitive or overreacting emotionally to a situation, rather than just a physical ailment.
- The character 敏 in 过敏 is the same character used to describe someone who is 'quick-witted' or 'clever'.
Examples in context
- 我对花粉过敏I am allergic to pollen.
- 变应性反应可以引发不同的症状Allergic reactions can cause different symptoms.
- 他对花粉有过敏反应He has an allergic reaction to pollen.
- 我对猫过敏I am allergic to cats.
- 我有多种过敏I have multiple allergies.
- 你对什么过敏吗?Do you have any allergies?
- 我对花生过敏。I am allergic to peanuts.
- 我对花粉过敏。Wǒ duì huāfěn guòmǐn.I have pollen allergies.
- 这种药可以治过敏。Zhè zhǒng yào kěyǐ zhì guòmǐn.This medicine can treat allergies.
- 他有严重的食物过敏。Tā yǒu yánzhòng de shíwù guòmǐn.He has severe food allergies.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat at a restaurant.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你有什么过敏的食物吗？Nǐ yǒu shéme guòmǐn de shíwù ma?Do you have any food allergies?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我对花生过敏。Wǒ duì huāshēng guòmǐn.I am allergic to peanuts.
- 佳怡 Jiayi没问题，那我们换一家店。Méi wèntí, nà wǒmen huàn yī jiā diàn.No problem, then let's change to another restaurant.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢你的关心。Xièxiè nǐ de guānxīn.Thank you for your concern.
