兽医
shòuyī
The English phrase 'vet' translates to Chinese as 兽医 (shòuyī).
兽医 refers to an animal doctor or veterinarian.
Meaning: short form of veterinary surgeon (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 兽医 is composed of 兽, meaning animal or beast and 医, meaning doctor or medical practitioner.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, one of the common phrases used to say 'vet' is 獸醫.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 兽医 is used for both the profession and the person practicing it.
How do you pronounce it?
shòuyī
Did you know?
- The character 兽 in 兽医 specifically refers to mammals and beasts, meaning it does not literally encompass birds or fish despite the term being used for all animal doctors.
- Chinese has a specific term 兽医站 for community animal health stations, which are often government-run hubs for livestock vaccinations in rural areas.
- The character 兽 is a pictograph that originally depicted a wild animal with a large head and a long tail.
Examples in context
- 他是当地最好的兽医。Tā shì dāngdì zuì hǎo de shòuyī.He is the best vet in the area.
- 我们需要去找兽医。Wǒmen xūyào qù zhǎo shòuyī.We need to go find a vet.
- 我想当一名兽医。Wǒ xiǎng dāng yī míng shòuyī.I want to be a vet.
Example conversation
Wei is asking Yuting about her pet's health.
- 雨婷 Yuting伟，我的猫生病了。Wěi, wǒ de māo shēngbìng le.Wei, my cat is sick.
- 伟 Wei那快带她去看兽医吧。Nà kuài dài tā qù kàn shòuyī ba.Then hurry and take her to see a vet.
- 雨婷 Yuting你知道哪里的兽医比较好吗？Nǐ zhīdào nǎlǐ de shòuyī bǐjiào hǎo ma?Do you know which vet is quite good?
- 伟 Wei我认识一位很有经验的兽医。Wǒ rènshi yī wèi hěn yǒu jīngyàn de shòuyī.I know a very experienced vet.
