痛经
The English phrase "menstrual cramps" is translated into Mandarin as 痛经.
In a medical or descriptive context, you can use the adjective 严重 (yánzhòng), meaning 'serious' or 'severe', to describe the intensity of the cramps, such as in the phrase 痛经很严重 (menstrual cramps are very severe).
What does it mean word for word?
The term 痛经 is composed of 痛 (tòng), meaning 'pain' and 经 (jīng), which is a shorthand for 月经 (yuèjīng), meaning 'menstruation'.
Did you know?
- When discussing the discomfort, a person might mention needing to 'warm the palace' (暖宫 nuǎn gōng), a metaphorical way to describe relieving cramps.
- The character 经 (jīng) in 痛经 is the same character used to describe 'classics' or 'sacred texts', such as the 'Analects' or 'sutras'.
- While 痛经 is the medical term, people often describe the feeling as 肚子疼 (dùzi téng), which simply means 'stomach ache', to be more discreet in public.
Examples in context
- 我每个月都会有严重的月经痛。I experience severe menstrual cramps every month.
- 有些女性在经期会遇到痛经。Some women experience menstrual pain during their period.
- 我今天痛经，真的很难受。I have menstrual cramps today, and it's really uncomfortable.
- 我每个月来例假的时候都会很疼。I experience pain every month when I have my period.
- 我最近经常痛经。Wǒ zuìjìn jīngcháng tòngjīng.I have been having menstrual cramps often lately.
- 痛经的时候很难受。Tòngjīng de shíhòu hěn nánshòu.It is very uncomfortable when having menstrual cramps.
- 喝点热水可以缓解痛经。Hē diǎn rè shuǐ kěyǐ huǎnjiě tòngjīng.Drinking some warm water can relieve menstrual cramps.
Example conversation
A man is checking on his girlfriend who is feeling unwell.
- 雨婷 Yuting我今天有点痛经。Wǒ jīntiān yǒudiǎn tòngjīng.I have some menstrual cramps today.
- 伟 Wei是不是很难受？Shì bù shì hěn nánshòu?Is it very uncomfortable?
- 雨婷 Yuting对，肚子很疼。Duì, dùzi hěn téng.Yes, my stomach hurts a lot.
- 伟 Wei我帮你拿个热水袋吧。Wǒ bāng nǐ ná gè rèshuǐdài ba.Let me get a hot water bottle for you.
