糖尿病
tángniàobìng
The English word 'diabetes' is translated into Chinese as 糖尿病 (tángniàobìng).
糖尿病 is a noun used to refer to the group of metabolic diseases known as diabetes.
Meaning: A group of metabolic diseases (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 糖尿病 is composed of the characters 糖 (sugar), 尿 (urine) and 病 (disease/illness).
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 糖友 is a common colloquialism used by people with diabetes to refer to one another, similar to saying 'fellow diabetic'.
How do you pronounce it?
tángniàobìng
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, the character 糖 (sugar) is often associated with sweetness and happiness, creating a linguistic irony when used in the name of a chronic illness.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine historically categorized symptoms of 糖尿病 under 消渴, meaning 'wasting and thirsting'.
- While 'diabetes' comes from a Greek word meaning 'to pass through', the Chinese term focuses entirely on the physical presence of sugar in the body's waste.
Examples in context
- 我有糖尿病。I have diabetes.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have 糖尿病.Tatoeba #10699400 by GlossaMatik, translation #280075 by CK
- 他患有糖尿病。Tā huàn yǒu tángniàobìng.He has diabetes.
- 糖尿病患者要注意饮食。Tángniàobìng huànzhě yào zhùyì yǐnshí.Diabetes patients should watch their diet.
Example conversation
At a hospital waiting room.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，你是因为什么来看医生的？Wěi, nǐ shì yīnwèi shénme lái yīshēng de?Wei, why are you seeing the doctor?
- 伟 Wei我怀疑自己得了糖尿病。Wǒ huáiyí zìjǐ déle tángniàobìng.I suspect I have diabetes.
- 雨婷 Yuting别担心，快去做个检查吧。Bié dānxīn, kuài qù zuò gè jiǎnchá ba.Don't worry, go get a checkup quickly.
- 伟 Wei谢谢你，雨婷。Xièxiè nǐ, Yǔtíng.Thank you, Yuting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “diabetes” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
