医生
yīshēng
The English word 'doctor' is translated into Chinese as 医生 (yīshēng).
The term refers to a person who is qualified to treat people who are ill.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 医生 is composed of 医 (meaning to treat or medical) and 生 (meaning person or scholar).
Which one should you use?
While 医生 is the standard term, the colloquial term 大夫 is also very common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The colloquial term 大夫 is typically used in northern China and Mainland China.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 医生 does not change its form for grammatical case or plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
yīshēng
Did you know?
- The colloquial term 大夫 was originally used to refer to high ranking government officials in ancient China. Over time it shifted from a title of political authority to one of medical authority.
- The colloquial term 大夫 (dàifu) is pronounced with a neutral tone on the second syllable, rather than the fourth tone one might expect from the character.
- In certain historical or literary contexts, a person practicing medicine might be referred to as a 郎中 (lángzhōng), a term that sounds much more ancient than 医生.
Examples in context
- 我想当医生。I want to be a doctor.This sentence is useful for expressing a career aspiration using 医生.Tatoeba #10227809 by GlossaMatik, translation #321715 by CK
- 我需要医生。I need a doctor.This sentence is useful for expressing a medical need using 医生.Tatoeba #10699408 by GlossaMatik, translation #2280312 by CK
- 你是不是医生？Are you a doctor?This sentence is useful for asking someone about their profession using 医生.Tatoeba #3378216 by GlossaMatik, translation #502228 by marauder016
- 我需要看医生。(Wǒ xūyào kàn yīshēng.)I need to see a doctor.
- 我感觉不舒服，需要去看大夫。(Wǒ gǎnjué bù shūfu, xūyào qù kàn dàifu.)I don't feel well and need to see a doctor.
- 103 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen is asking Haoran about his career.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你现在的职业是什么？Hàorán, nǐ xiànzài de zhíyè shì shénme?Haoran, what is your current profession?
- 浩然 Haoran我是一名医生。Wǒ shì yī míng yīshēng.I am a doctor.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的吗？你在哪家医院工作？Zhēn de ma? Nǐ zài nǎ jiā yīyuàn gōngzuò?Really? Which hospital do you work at?
- 浩然 Haoran我在市中心的一家医院。Wǒ zài shì zhōngxīn de yī jiā yīyuàn.I'm at a hospital in the city center.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
