甲状腺
jiǎzhuàngxiàn
The English phrase "thyroid" is translated into Chinese as 甲状腺 (jiǎzhuàngxiàn).
甲状腺 refers to the butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that regulates the body's metabolism.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 甲状 (jiǎzhuàng), meaning 'shell-shaped' or 'armor-shaped' and 腺 (xiàn), meaning 'gland'.
How do you pronounce it?
jiǎzhuàngxiàn
Did you know?
- The character 甲 in 甲状腺 refers to a tortoise shell or armor. In Chinese medical terminology, this describes the gland's shape as resembling a protective shell rather than a butterfly.
- Chinese medical terminology for the thyroid was heavily influenced by Japanese translations of Western medicine during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- The word 甲 is also used in Chinese to mean 'first' or 'grade A'. This creates a linguistic coincidence where the thyroid gland shares a character with the highest possible rank.
Examples in context
- 我的甲状腺有问题。(Wǒ de jiǎzhuàngxiàn yǒu wèntí.)There's something wrong with my thyroid.
- 他的甲状腺有些肿大。Tā de jiǎzhuàngxiàn yǒuxiē zhǒngdà.His thyroid is a bit swollen.
- 医生正在检查我的甲状腺。Yīshēng zhèngzài jiǎnchá wǒ de jiǎzhuàngxiàn.The doctor is checking my thyroid.
- 甲状腺功能影响新陈代谢。Jiǎzhuàngxiàn gōngnéng yǐngxiǎng xīnchén dàixiè.Thyroid function affects metabolism.
Example conversation
Jiayi and Wei are talking about a medical checkup.
- 佳怡 Jiayi伟，我的体检报告出来了。Wěi, wǒ de tǐjiǎn bàogào chūláile.Wei, my physical exam report is out.
- 伟 Wei结果怎么样？有问题吗？Jiéguǒ zěnmeyàng? Yǒu wèntí ma?How were the results? Is there a problem?
- 佳怡 Jiayi医生说我的甲状腺功能异常。Yīshēng shuō wǒ de jiǎzhuàngxiàn gōngnéng yìcháng.The doctor said my thyroid function is abnormal.
- 伟 Wei那你需要去看专科医生。Nà nǐ xūyào qù kàn zhuānkē yīshēng.Then you need to see a specialist.
