双相情感障碍
shuāngxiàng qínggǎn zhàng'ài
In Chinese, the term for bipolar is 双相情感障碍 (shuāngxiàng qínggǎn zhàng'ài).
The term 双相情感障碍 is the formal medical term used for bipolar disorder in psychiatric diagnoses and clinical settings in Chinese-speaking regions. In clinical or casual medical contexts, the term is often shortened to just 双相.
Meaning: relating to or having bipolar disorder (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 双相情感障碍 is composed of 双相 (shuāngxiàng, 'two phases/poles'), 情感 (qínggǎn, 'emotion/affect') and 障碍 (zhàng'ài, 'disorder/obstacle').
Which one should you use?
The formal term for bipolar disorder is 双相性情感障碍. Conversely, the informal term for bipolar disorder is 躁郁症.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwan, some people use the term 雙向情感障礙. In Cantonese-speaking regions, the formal term for bipolar disorder is 雙極情感障礙.
How do you pronounce it?
shuāngxiàng qínggǎn zhàng'ài
Did you know?
- The term 障碍 used for 'disorder' in 双相情感障碍 is the same word used in daily life to describe a physical barrier like a fence or a wall.
- While the formal term in Mainland China uses 双相 ('two phases'), Cantonese speakers in regions like Hong Kong use 雙極, which literally translates the 'poles' from the English word 'bipolar'.
- The term 情感 (qínggǎn) used in the phrase is a high-register word for 'emotion' that is more suitable for psychological discussions than the common word for feelings, 感觉 (gǎnjué).
Examples in context
- 他被诊断为双相性情感障碍。He was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder.
- 我朋友可能有躁郁症。My friend might have bipolar disorder.
- 他患有双相情感障碍。Tā huàn yǒu shuāng xiāng qíng gǎn zhàng ài.He has bipolar disorder.
- 双相情感障碍需要长期治疗。Shuāng xiāng qíng gǎn zhàng ài xū yào cháng qī zhì liáo.Bipolar disorder requires long-term treatment.
- 医生正在诊断她的双相情感障碍。Yī shēng zhèng zài zhěn duàn tā de shuāng xiāng qíng gǎn zhàng ài.The doctor is diagnosing her bipolar disorder.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are talking about a friend's health.
- 伟 Wei你知道吗？他患有双相情感障碍。Nǐ zhī dào ma? Tā huàn yǒu shuāng xiāng qíng gǎn zhàng ài.Did you know? He has bipolar disorder.
- 佳怡 Jiayi是吗？这听起来很不容易。Shì ma? Zhè tīng qǐ lái hěn bù róng yì.Really? That sounds very difficult.
- 伟 Wei是的，所以我们要多支持他。Shì de, suǒ yǐ wǒ men yào duō zhī chí tā.Yes, so we should support him more.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我明白，我会关心他的。Wǒ míng bái, wǒ huì guān xīn tā de.I understand, I will care about him.
