耳鸣
ěrmíng
The English word tinnitus is translated into Chinese as 耳鸣 (ěrmíng).
耳鸣 refers to the perception of nonexistent noise.
Meaning: perception of nonexistent noise (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 耳 (ěr), meaning 'ear' and 鸣 (míng), meaning 'to ring' or 'to cry' (as an animal does).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, 耳鸣 can function as both a noun (tinnitus) and a verb (to have a ringing in the ears).
How do you pronounce it?
ěrmíng
Did you know?
- The character 鸣 in 耳鸣 is the same one used to describe the 'cry' of a phoenix in Chinese mythology. This connects a common medical symptom to a legendary, beautiful creature.
- In Traditional Chinese Medicine, 耳鸣 is not seen as a localized ear issue but as a signal of imbalance in organs like the kidneys or liver.
- If you were describing a ringing ear caused by a sudden loud noise rather than a medical condition, a Chinese speaker might use the word 嗡嗡声 (wēng wēng shēng) to mimic the actual sound of a buzz.
Examples in context
- 你耳鸣吗？Do you have tinnitus?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is experiencing the condition with 耳鸣.Tatoeba #1317019 by vicch, translation #8645625 by hamsolo474
- 他最近一直在抱怨耳鸣。He has been consistently complaining about tinnitus lately.
- 这种耳鸣很难受。Zhè zhǒng ěrmíng hěn nánshòu.This kind of tinnitus is very uncomfortable.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their health at a cafe.
- 浩然 Haoran梓涵，你觉得怎么样？Zǐhán, nǐ juédé zěnmeyàng?Zihan, how are you feeling?
- 梓涵 Zihan我感觉有点耳鸣。Wǒ gǎnjué yǒudiǎn ěrmíng.I feel a bit of tinnitus.
- 浩然 Haoran是不是压力太大了？Shì bùshì yālì tài dà le?Is it because the pressure is too high?
- 梓涵 Zihan可能是吧。Kěnéng shì ba.That might be it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
