中风
zhòngfēng
In Mandarin, "stroke" is 中风 (zhòngfēng). Wiktionary also lists 卒中 (cùzhòng).
Meaning: loss of brain function arising when the blood supply to the brain is suddenly interrupted (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 中风 | zhòngfēng |
| 卒中 | cùzhòng |
The term 中风 refers to a loss of brain function caused by a sudden interruption in the blood supply to the brain. It can function as both a noun (a stroke) and a verb (to have a stroke). If you are referring specifically to a hemorrhagic stroke, the term 脑溢血 is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 中风 literally means 'to be struck by wind'.
Which one should you use?
While 中风 is the common term used in daily conversation, 卒中 is the formal medical term used in clinical or professional settings.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that someone has suffered a stroke as a completed event, the particle 了 is often added after 中风, resulting in 中风了.
How do you pronounce it?
zhòngfēng
Did you know?
- The character 中 is used in many phrases meaning 'to be hit' or 'to be infected', such as when one 'catches' a cold or 'hits' a lottery jackpot.
- The word 中 in 中风 does not mean 'middle' here, but rather 'to hit the mark' or 'to suffer', similar to how one 'hits' a target.
- The medical term 卒中 uses the character 卒 which also means 'soldier' or 'suddenly', adding a layer of 'suddenness' to the formal clinical name.
Examples in context
- 我家里有个老年人突然倒在地上，大概是中风了。An elderly person in my family suddenly fell to the ground, he likely suffered a stroke.This sentence shows how to describe someone who has likely suffered a stroke using 中风.Tatoeba #420872 by sysko, translation #8294705 by Adlib
- 我的奶奶突然脑溢血，我们马上送她去医院。My grandmother had a sudden stroke, so we rushed her to the hospital.
- 虽然广东有些地区也叫中风，但是在我们家乡更倾向于叫脑出血。Although some areas in Guangdong also use the term "中风," in our hometown, we are more inclined to use "脑出血" (nǎo chū xiě).
- 中风是一种很危险的疾病。Zhòngfēng shì yī zhǒng hěn wēixiǎn de jíbìng.A stroke is a very dangerous disease.
- 我们要预防老年人中风。Wǒmen yào yùfáng lǎoniánrén zhòngfēng.We need to prevent elderly people from having strokes.
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining a medical condition to a patient's son.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你父亲的情况比较严重。Nǐ fùqīn de qíngkuàng bǐjiào yánzhòng.Your father's condition is quite serious.
- 浩然 Haoran他这是中风了吗？Tā zhè shì zhòngfēng le ma?Did he have a stroke?
- 佳怡 Jiayi是的，他刚才出现了中风症状。Shì de, tā gāngcái chūxiàn le zhòngfēng zhèngzhuàng.Yes, he just showed symptoms of a stroke.
- 浩然 Haoran医生，请一定要救救他。Yīshēng, qǐng yīdìng yào jiù jiù tā.Doctor, please, you must save him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stroke” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
