外科
wàikē
The English word 'surgery' in Chinese is translated as 外科 (wàikē).
The word 外科 refers to the medical discipline or the surgical department. If you are referring to the actual surgical procedure or operation performed on a patient, the correct term to use is 手术.
Meaning: procedure involving major incisions (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
外科 literally means 'outer branch' or 'external branch', which refers to the branch of medicine that deals with physical or external intervention.
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between the field of study and the act itself: 外科 is the medical specialty or department, while 手术 is the word for the actual operation. Additionally, 开刀 is a colloquial term used to describe surgery.
How do you pronounce it?
wàikē
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 外科 to mean 'an operation is being performed'. You should use 手术 instead when referring to the procedure itself.
Did you know?
- The colloquial term 开刀 literally means 'open the knife'. While it refers to surgery, using it in a non-medical context can be a metaphor for starting a difficult or decisive task.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, the concept of 外科 was historically broader than modern surgery, encompassing any treatment for 'external' ailments like skin diseases or boils.
- The character 术 in 手术 is also used in words for 'art' or 'skill'. This links the act of surgery to the concept of a mastered technical art.
Examples in context
- 您需要做一次手术。You need to have a surgery.
- 这个手术非常成功。This surgery was very successful.
- 他正在接受外科手术。Tā zhèngzài jiēshòu wàikē shǒushù.He is undergoing surgery.
- 这项外科手术非常复杂。Zhè xiàng wàikē shǒushù fēicháng fùzá.This surgery is very complex.
- 医生建议进行外科手术。Yīshēng jiànyì jìnxíng wàikē shǒushù.The doctor suggested surgery.
Example conversation
A husband asks his wife about a family member's medical update.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen爸爸的情况怎么样了？Bàba de qíngkuàng zěnmeyàng le?How is Dad's condition?
- 伟 Wei医生说需要做外科手术。Yīshēng shuō xūyào zuò wàikē shǒushù.The doctor said he needs surgery.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen手术什么时候开始？Shǒushù shénme shíhou kāishǐ?When does the surgery start?
- 伟 Wei明天早上进行。Míngtiān zǎoshang jìnxíng.It will be performed tomorrow morning.
