核酸检测
hésuān jiǎncè
The English phrase "covid test" is translated into Chinese as 核酸检测 (hésuān jiǎncè).
A covid test refers to a medical procedure used to determine if a person is infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. You may also see the phrase used in daily conversation with the verb 做 (to do), as in 做核酸.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 核酸检测 is composed of two parts: 核酸 (hésuān), which literally means "nucleic acid" and 检测 (jiǎncè), which means "test" or "detection".
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between types of tests. 核酸检测 refers specifically to a nucleic acid (PCR) test, whereas 抗原检测 is the term used for an antigen test.
How do you pronounce it?
hésuān jiǎncè
Did you know?
- When discussing the results, a person might say their 核酸 is 阴性 (yīnxìng), meaning 'negative', which literally translates to 'yin' or 'feminine' properties in traditional Chinese philosophy.
- In China, people often used the verb 刷 (to swipe or brush) in the context of 刷核酸 when referring to the rapid-fire nature of mass testing sites.
- Due to the strict requirements for these tests, the term 核酸 became an unofficial synonym for 'health pass' or 'entry permit' in many cities.
Examples in context
- 我今天要去核酸检测。Wǒ jīntiān yào qù hésuān jiǎncè.I need to go for a covid test today.
- 核酸检测的结果出来了。Hésuān jiǎncè de jiéguǒ chūlái le.The covid test results are out.
- 请在核酸检测前戴好口罩。Qǐng zài hésuān jiǎncè qián dàihǎo kǒuzhào.Please wear a mask before the covid test.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their health status.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen伟，你做核酸检测了吗？Wěi, nǐ zuò hésuān jiǎncè le ma?Wei, have you taken a covid test?
- 伟 Wei我刚才已经做完了。Wǒ gāngcái yǐjīng zuò wán le.I just finished it.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen结果是阴性吗？Jiéguǒ shì yīnxìng ma?Was the result negative?
- 伟 Wei是的，结果很正常。Shì de, jiéguǒ hěn zhèngcháng.Yes, the result is normal.
