炎症
yánzhèng
The English word inflammation is translated into Chinese as 炎症 (yánzhèng). Wiktionary also lists 發炎 / 发炎 (fāyán).
Meaning: medical condition (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 炎症 | yánzhèng |
| 發炎 / 发炎 | fāyán |
In a medical context, the noun 炎症 refers to inflammation, while the term 炎症反应 means inflammatory response. To describe the process of becoming inflamed or the onset of inflammation, the verb 发炎 is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun 炎症 is composed of 炎 (flame/heat) and 症 (symptom/condition).
Which one should you use?
炎症 is the formal noun used in medical contexts. In contrast, 发炎 is the common verb used to describe the process of becoming inflamed.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term for inflammation is 發炎.
How does it change in a sentence?
发炎 is a verb. It is commonly used by patients to describe symptoms, such as saying a throat is inflamed (喉咙发炎). It can also describe the onset of the condition, such as saying a wound became inflamed (伤口发炎了).
How do you pronounce it?
yánzhèng
Did you know?
- Because 炎 represents heat, the word is conceptually linked to the 'heatiness' (上火) concept in Traditional Chinese Medicine, which is used to explain many common ailments.
- The character 炎 is composed of two 火 (fire) radicals stacked on top of each other, visually representing intense heat.
- While 发炎 describes inflammation, the character 炎 can also be used in the word 炎热 to describe scorching summer heat.
Examples in context
- 近期我的关节出现了炎症。Recently, I have had inflammation in my joints.
- 他的皮肤出现了局部红肿疼痛。He has localized redness, swelling, and pain on his skin.
- 我觉得我的喉咙有点发炎。I feel like my throat is a bit inflamed.
- 这种炎症需要消炎药。zhè zhǒng yánzhèng xūyào xiāoyányào.This kind of inflammation needs anti-inflammatory medicine.
- 伤口处有明显的炎症。shāngkǒu chù yǒu míngxiǎn de yánzhèng.There is obvious inflammation at the wound.
- 由于炎症，他的关节很疼。yóuyú yánzhèng, tā de guānjié hěn téng.His joints are very painful due to inflammation.
Example conversation
Yuting and Zhiqiang are discussing a doctor's visit.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你的嗓子好点了吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ de sǎngzi hǎo diǎn le ma?Zhiqiang, is your throat feeling any better?
- 志强 Zhiqiang还没，医生说这是严重的炎症。Hái méi, yīshēng shuō zhè shì yánzhòng de yánzhèng.Not yet, the doctor said it is a severe inflammation.
- 雨婷 Yuting那你现在需要吃药吗？Nà nǐ xiànzài xūyào chī yào ma?Do you need to take medicine now?
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，我得按时吃药。Shì de, wǒ děi ànshí chī yào.Yes, I have to take my medicine on time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inflammation” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
