临终关怀
línzhōng guānhuái
In Chinese, hospice is 临终关怀 (línzhōng guānhuái).
临终关怀 refers to both the concept of palliative care and the specialized services provided to terminally ill patients.
Meaning: a facility or organization offering palliative care for the terminally ill (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 临终 (línzhōng), meaning 'at the end of life' and 关怀 (guānhuái), meaning 'care' or 'concern'.
Which one should you use?
安养所 is a formal term for hospice and 临终关怀中心 translates to 'end-of-life care center'.
How do you pronounce it?
línzhōng guānhuái
Did you know?
- Many people in Chinese culture avoid saying 临终 (end of life) directly to a patient to avoid 'inviting' death, using euphemisms or indirect language instead.
- Because Chinese culture often emphasizes family responsibility, the concept of 'hospice care' is frequently discussed in terms of 'filial piety' rather than just medical services.
- When discussing the 'end of life' in a medical sense, Chinese speakers may use the phrase 走完最后一程, which means 'walking the final stretch of the journey'.
Examples in context
- 我们需要为父亲找一家安养所。We need to find a hospice for our father.
- 他决定申请临终关怀机构的职位。Tā juédìng shēnqǐng línzhōng guānhuái jīgòu de zhíwèi.He decided to apply for a position at a hospice facility.
- 这家医院提供专业的临终关怀服务。Zhè jiā yīyuàn tígōng zhuānyè de línzhōng guānhuái fúwù.This hospital provides professional hospice care services.
- 临终关怀对病人的尊严很重要。Línzhōng guānhuái duì bìngrén de zūnyán hěn zhòngyào.Hospice care is very important for the dignity of patients.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a career change in a coffee shop.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你想去临终关怀机构工作吗？Nǐ xiǎng qù línzhōng guānhuái jīgòu gōngzuò ma?Do you want to work at a hospice facility?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，我想从事这项工作。Shì de, wǒ xiǎng cóngshì zhè xiàng gōngzuò.Yes, I want to pursue this kind of work.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen俊杰，你真的很善良。Jùnjié, nǐ zhēn de hěn shànliáng.Junjie, you are truly kind.
- 俊杰 Junjie谢谢，我只想帮助那些人。Xièxiè, wǒ zhǐ xiǎng bāngzhù nàxiē rén.Thank you, I just want to help those people.
