内脏
nèizàng
The English word "innards" is translated into Chinese as 内脏 (nèizàng).
内脏 is a neutral, biological or medical term used to describe the internal organs of a living being.
Meaning: internal organs (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 内 (nèi), meaning 'inside' and 脏 (zàng), meaning 'organs'.
Which one should you use?
While "innards" in English can sometimes sound slightly visceral or informal, 内脏 is the standard, formal term in Chinese and does not carry a slangy connotation. For a more informal way to refer specifically to intestines, one might use 肠子.
How do you pronounce it?
nèizàng
Did you know?
- In many Chinese-speaking regions, the phrase 'to eat one's heart' or 'to eat one's liver' is used in idioms to describe being extremely envious or consumed by jealousy.
- In Chinese culture, the concept of the 'internal organs' is deeply tied to the Five Elements theory. Each organ is believed to correspond to a specific element, like 'wood' or 'fire', and a specific emotion.
- The character 脏 (zàng) in 内脏 is a homophone for a character meaning 'dirty' or 'filthy', which can create an amusing linguistic coincidence in spoken Chinese.
Examples in context
- 内脏器官Internal organs
- 医生在检查他的内脏。Yīshēng zài jiǎnchá tā de nèizàng.The doctor is examining his internal organs.
- 我们要清洗这些内脏。Wǒmen yào qīngxǐ zhèxiē nèizàng.We need to clean these internal organs.
- 这种动物的内脏很有营养。Zhè zhǒng dòngwù de nèizàng hěn yǒu yíngyǎng.The internal organs of this animal are very nutritious.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are preparing to cook at home.
- 伟 Wei雨婷，这些内脏洗干净了吗？Yǔtíng, zhèxiē nèizàng xǐ gānjìng le ma?Yuting, are these internal organs washed clean?
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，我已经洗好了。Wěi, wǒ yǐjīng xǐ hǎo le.Wei, I have already washed them.
- 伟 Wei太好了，我们可以开始做了。Tài hǎo le, wǒmen kěyǐ kāishǐ zuò le.Great, we can start cooking now.
- 雨婷 Yuting希望味道会很好。Xīwàng wèidào huì hěn hǎo.I hope it will taste good.
