What does it mean word for word?
The word 乳房 consists of 乳 (rǔ), meaning milk or mammary and 房 (fáng), meaning room or chamber.
Which one should you use?
While 乳房 is the formal anatomical term, people often use 胸部 (meaning 'chest area') to refer to the breasts in a more polite or indirect manner. In highly informal or colloquial settings, 奶子 or the single character 奶 (meaning 'milk') may be used.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
乳房 is a formal term typically used in medical or scientific contexts. For a more neutral and polite approach in social situations, 胸部 is often preferred. Conversely, 奶子 is a commonly used informal term and 奶 is considered highly informal or slang. The colloquial term 波霸 is used specifically to describe significantly large or prominent breasts.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is rǔfáng. The IPA is /ɻu²¹⁴⁻²¹ fɑŋ³⁵/.
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the 乳房 is viewed as being closely linked to the liver meridian, which is why some traditional practitioners treat breast health by stimulating points on the foot.
- The slang term 波霸 (bōbà) uses the character 波 (bō), which means 'wave', to describe large breasts.
- In many Chinese-speaking regions, calling someone 奶妈 (nǎimā), literally 'milk mother', is an old-fashioned way to refer to a wet nurse.
Examples in context
- 医生在检查她的乳房。Yīshēng zài jiǎnchá tā de rǔfáng.The doctor is examining her breasts.
- 她感到乳房有些疼痛。Tā gǎndào rǔfáng yǒuxiē téngtòng.She feels some pain in her breasts.
- 这种手术会影响乳房吗？Zhè zhǒng shǒushù huì yǐngxiǎng rǔfáng ma?Will this surgery affect the breasts?
Example conversation
A woman is talking to a doctor about a medical symptom.
- 雨婷 Yuting医生，我的乳房很不舒服。Yīshēng, wǒ de rǔfáng hěn bù shūfu.Doctor, my breasts feel very uncomfortable.
- 志强 Zhiqiang请告诉我哪里痛。Qǐng gàosù wǒ nǎlǐ téng.Please tell me where it hurts.
- 雨婷 Yuting是在左侧乳房附近。Shì zài zuǒcè rǔfáng fùjìn.It is near the left breast.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我需要为你做一个检查。Wǒ xūyào wèi nǐ zuò yīgè jiǎnchá.I need to perform an examination for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 乳房, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
