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| 住院 [2025/08/04 01:40] – created xiaoer | 住院 [2025/08/04 01:41] (current) – xiaoer |
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| ====== zhùyuàn: 住院 - To Be Hospitalized, To Be an Inpatient ====== | ====== zhùyuàn: 住院 - To be hospitalized, to stay in a hospital ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** zhuyuan, 住院, to be hospitalized in Chinese, inpatient in Chinese, Chinese hospital, sick in China, hospital admission, Chinese medical terms, HSK 3 vocabulary | * **Keywords:** 住院, zhuyuan, zhùyuàn, what does zhuyuan mean, hospitalized in Chinese, stay in hospital Chinese, Chinese for hospital, Chinese medical terms, getting sick in China, 去医院 vs 住院, 出院, HSK 3 vocabulary |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **住院 (zhùyuàn)**, which means "to be hospitalized" or "to be an inpatient." This page provides a deep dive into its meaning, character origins, and crucial cultural context, such as the important role of family during a hospital stay in China. Discover how to use a **住院** in practical conversations, understand common mistakes, and learn related medical vocabulary to confidently navigate healthcare situations in Chinese. | * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese medical term **住院 (zhùyuàn)**, which means "to be hospitalized" or "to stay in a hospital." This page breaks down the characters 住 (to stay) and 院 (institution), explores the cultural significance of hospitalization in China where family involvement is key, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Understand the crucial difference between just going to the hospital (去医院) and being admitted as an inpatient (住院) to avoid common mistakes and navigate healthcare situations in China with confidence. |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhùyuàn | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhùyuàn |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb (Verb-Object Compound) | * **Part of Speech:** Verb (Verb-Object Compound) |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 |
| * **Concise Definition:** To be admitted to a hospital for inpatient care. | * **Concise Definition:** To be admitted to a hospital for inpatient care; to be hospitalized. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **住院 (zhùyuàn)** is the specific term used when a person is formally checked into a hospital to stay for one or more nights for treatment, surgery, or observation. It's the direct opposite of being an outpatient, which is simply visiting a doctor and then going home (`看病 kànbìng`). If you're staying overnight in a hospital bed, you are `住院`. | * **In a Nutshell:** **住院 (zhùyuàn)** is not just about visiting a hospital; it specifically means you are being checked in to stay overnight or for a longer period. It implies a medical condition serious enough to require constant monitoring or intensive treatment, distinguishing it from a simple outpatient visit (门诊, ménzhěn). Think of it as the official transition from visitor to resident patient. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **住 (zhù):** This character's primary meaning is "to live," "to reside," or "to stay." Think of the common phrase `你住在哪儿？(Nǐ zhù zài nǎ'er?)` - "Where do you live?". It implies a period of dwelling. | * **住 (zhù):** This character means "to live," "to stay," or "to reside." It's composed of the person radical (亻) on the left and 主 (zhǔ), meaning "master" or "main," on the right. You can imagine a person (亻) staying in the main (主) part of a house. |
| * **院 (yuàn):** This character means "courtyard" or "institution." It's a key component of words for large, enclosed places like `医院 (yīyuàn)` for "hospital" and `法院 (fǎyuàn)` for "courthouse." | * **院 (yuàn):** This character means "courtyard," "institution," or "hospital." The "ear" radical on the left (阝) is a variant of 阜, which means "mound" or "dam," often referring to enclosures or walls. The right side, 完 (wán), means "complete." Together, they suggest a large, complete, walled-in space, which aptly describes a courtyard, a school (学院), a court (法院), or in this case, a hospital (医院). |
| * The characters combine literally and logically: **"to live in the institution (hospital)."** This construction makes the meaning very clear—it's not a short visit, but a temporary residence for medical reasons. | The two characters combine literally and logically to mean "**to stay in an institution**," which in a medical context, is to be hospitalized. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| Hospitalization in China carries a unique cultural weight that differs significantly from the West. Understanding **住院 (zhùyuàn)** goes beyond the word itself and touches on core societal values. | In Chinese culture, hospitalization is often a significant family event that highlights collectivist values. Unlike in many Western cultures where patient care is almost exclusively handled by hospital staff, in China, family involvement is intense and expected. |
| In the United States or Europe, a hospitalized patient is cared for almost exclusively by nurses and hospital staff. In China, however, the family's role is paramount. It is extremely common for a family member, often a spouse or adult child, to stay with the patient 24/7. They bring home-cooked meals, help with basic needs like bathing, and provide constant emotional support. This practice, known as `陪护 (péihù)`, is not just a kind gesture but an ingrained expectation rooted in filial piety and collectivist family values. | * **Family as Caregivers:** It's extremely common for family members—spouses, children, or even siblings—to stay with the patient around the clock. They often sleep on a rented cot or a simple mat next to the patient's bed. Their role is not just to provide emotional support but also to help with daily tasks like buying meals, helping the patient wash, and liaising with doctors and nurses. This is seen as a fundamental expression of **孝顺 (xiàoshùn)**, or filial piety, when children care for their ailing parents. |
| Furthermore, the process of `住院` often begins with paying a substantial upfront deposit (`押金 yājīn`), which can be a source of significant stress for families. While in the West, hospital visits are primarily a medical event, in China, `住院` is a major family event that mobilizes relatives and friends, who will visit (`探病 tànbìng`) bringing gifts of fruit, flowers, or nutritional supplements as a show of support and to fulfill social obligations (`人情 rénqíng`). | * **Contrast with the West:** An American might find this level of family presence surprising. In the U.S., while family visits are encouraged, the primary caregiving is left to the professional nursing staff, and overnight stays by family are less common and more regulated. In China, the family is an integral part of the care team. This can sometimes be a necessity due to high patient-to-nurse ratios in public hospitals. |
| | * **Navigating the System:** The process of being admitted (办理住院手续, bànlǐ zhùyuàn shǒuxù) can be a bureaucratic process that a family member often helps navigate. Having personal connections, or **关系 (guānxi)**, within the hospital is also considered highly beneficial for ensuring attentive care. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| **住院 (zhùyuàn)** is a common and essential term in any discussion about serious illness or surgery. | **住院 (zhùyuàn)** is a standard, neutral term used in any conversation about being admitted to a hospital. It's used for everything from recovering from a major surgery to giving birth or treating a severe illness. |
| * **Getting Admitted:** A doctor will tell you `你需要住院 (Nǐ xūyào zhùyuàn)` - "You need to be hospitalized." You would then go to the admissions office to `办理住院手续 (bànlǐ zhùyuàn shǒuxù)` - "handle the hospital admission procedures." | You'll hear it in contexts like: |
| * **Discussing a Patient:** You might ask a friend, `他为什么住院了？(Tā wèishéme zhùyuàn le?)` - "Why was he hospitalized?" or `他住院住了几天？(Tā zhùyuàn zhùle jǐ tiān?)` - "How many days has he been in the hospital?" | * A doctor informing a patient of the need for admission. |
| * **Distinguishing from a Doctor's Visit:** It's critical not to confuse **住院** with **看病 (kànbìng)**. | * Family members discussing a relative's condition. |
| * **看病 (kànbìng):** To see a doctor (an outpatient visit). "I have a cold, so I'm going to see a doctor." - `我感冒了，要去看病。(Wǒ gǎnmào le, yào qù kànbìng.)` | * Someone explaining their absence from work or school. |
| * **住院 (zhùyuàn):** To be admitted to the hospital. "The car accident was serious; he has to be hospitalized." - `车祸很严重，他需要住院。(Chēhuò hěn yánzhòng, tā xūyào zhùyuàn.)` | The term itself is factual, but the situation it describes is inherently serious and often stressful. The opposite action, being discharged from the hospital, is **出院 (chūyuàn)**. |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
| * 医生说我爸爸需要**住院**观察几天。 | * 爷爷生病了，需要**住院**治疗。 |
| * Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ bàba xūyào **zhùyuàn** guānchá jǐ tiān. | * Pinyin: Yéye shēngbìng le, xūyào **zhùyuàn** zhìliáo. |
| * English: The doctor said my dad needs to be hospitalized for a few days of observation. | * English: Grandpa is sick and needs to be hospitalized for treatment. |
| * Analysis: A very common scenario. `观察 (guānchá)` means "to observe," a frequent reason for hospitalization. | * Analysis: A straightforward sentence stating the need for hospitalization. 治疗 (zhìliáo) means "treatment." |
| * **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
| * 她因为心脏病**住院**了。 | * 医生说我明天就得**住院**。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi xīnzàngbìng **zhùyuàn** le. | * Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ míngtiān jiù děi **zhùyuàn**. |
| * English: She was hospitalized because of heart disease. | * English: The doctor said I have to be hospitalized tomorrow. |
| * Analysis: `因为 (yīnwèi)` introduces the reason for the `住院`. The `了 (le)` indicates a completed action or change of state. | * Analysis: This shows how a decision to hospitalize is communicated. Note the use of 得 (děi), meaning "must" or "have to." |
| * **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
| * 你打算什么时候去医院探望**住院**的王老师？ | * 她因为车祸**住院**了两个星期。 |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ dǎsuàn shénme shíhou qù yīyuàn tànwàng **zhùyuàn** de Wáng lǎoshī? | * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi chēhuò **zhùyuàn** le liǎng ge xīngqī. |
| * English: When are you planning to visit Teacher Wang, who is in the hospital? | * English: She was hospitalized for two weeks because of a car accident. |
| * Analysis: Here, `住院的` acts as an adjective describing "Teacher Wang." `探望 (tànwàng)` is a formal word for visiting someone who is sick or in the hospital. | * Analysis: This example shows how to specify the duration of the hospital stay. |
| * **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
| * 这次**住院**花了很多钱。 | * 你需要**住院**多久？ |
| * Pinyin: Zhè cì **zhùyuàn** huāle hěn duō qián. | * Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào **zhùyuàn** duō jiǔ? |
| * English: This hospitalization cost a lot of money. | * English: How long do you need to be hospitalized? |
| * Analysis: **住院** can also function as a noun, meaning "hospital stay" or "hospitalization." | * Analysis: A common and practical question to ask someone who is being admitted. |
| * **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
| * 办理**住院**手续很麻烦。 | * 办理**住院**手续很麻烦。 |
| * Pinyin: Bànlǐ **zhùyuàn** shǒuxù hěn máfan. | * Pinyin: Bànlǐ **zhùyuàn** shǒuxù hěn máfan. |
| * English: Handling the hospital admission procedures is very troublesome. | * English: Handling the hospital admission procedures is very troublesome. |
| * Analysis: This sentence highlights the administrative side of being hospitalized. `办理手续 (bànlǐ shǒuxù)` is a set phrase for "to go through procedures." | * Analysis: This introduces the practical phrase 办理住院手续 (bànlǐ zhùyuàn shǒuxù), which means "to complete the admission paperwork." |
| * **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
| * 他手术后需要**住院**一个星期。 | * 我妈妈**住院**了，我得去医院照顾她。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā shǒushù hòu xūyào **zhùyuàn** yí ge xīngqī. | * Pinyin: Wǒ māma **zhùyuàn** le, wǒ děi qù yīyuàn zhàogù tā. |
| * English: He needs to be hospitalized for one week after his surgery. | * English: My mom was hospitalized, so I have to go to the hospital to take care of her. |
| * Analysis: This clearly states the duration of the hospital stay using `一个星期 (yí ge xīngqī)`. | * Analysis: This perfectly illustrates the cultural expectation of family members providing care (照顾, zhàogù) during hospitalization. |
| * **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
| * 我爷爷上个月刚出院，希望他不要再**住院**了。 | * 他下周要做手术，所以要提前**住院**。 |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ yéye shàng ge yuè gāng chūyuàn, xīwàng tā búyào zài **zhùyuàn** le. | * Pinyin: Tā xià zhōu yào zuò shǒushù, suǒyǐ yào tíqián **zhùyuàn**. |
| * English: My grandpa was just discharged last month; I hope he doesn't have to be hospitalized again. | * English: He is having surgery next week, so he needs to be hospitalized in advance. |
| * Analysis: This shows the contrast between `出院 (chūyuàn)` (to be discharged) and `住院 (zhùyuàn)`. `再 (zài)` means "again." | * Analysis: Shows a common reason for hospitalization: preparing for a 手术 (shǒushù), or surgery. |
| * **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
| * 你**住院**期间，我会每天来看你的。 | * **住院**费用很高，幸好我有保险。 |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ **zhùyuàn** qījiān, wǒ huì měitiān lái kàn nǐ de. | * Pinyin: **Zhùyuàn** fèiyòng hěn gāo, xìnghǎo wǒ yǒu bǎoxiǎn. |
| * English: During your hospitalization, I will come to see you every day. | * English: The hospitalization costs are very high; luckily I have insurance. |
| * Analysis: `期间 (qījiān)` means "during the period of," so `住院期间` specifically means "during the hospital stay." | * Analysis: A practical sentence discussing the financial aspect. 费用 (fèiyòng) is "cost/expense" and 保险 (bǎoxiǎn) is "insurance." |
| * **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
| * 他的病情很稳定，明天就可以出院了，不用一直**住院**。 | * 他恢复得很好，医生说他下周就可以出院了。 |
| * Pinyin: Tā de bìngqíng hěn wěndìng, míngtiān jiù kěyǐ chūyuàn le, búyòng yìzhí **zhùyuàn**. | * Pinyin: Tā huīfù de hěn hǎo, yīshēng shuō tā xià zhōu jiù kěyǐ chūyuàn le. |
| * English: His condition is very stable, he can be discharged tomorrow, no need to stay in the hospital continuously. | * English: He's recovering very well; the doctor says he can be discharged next week. |
| * Analysis: `一直 (yìzhí)` means "continuously" or "all along," emphasizing the state of being an inpatient. | * Analysis: While this sentence doesn't use 住院, it uses its direct antonym, 出院 (chūyuàn - to be discharged), showing the full cycle of a hospital stay. |
| * **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
| * 孩子发高烧，我们赶紧送他去**住院**。 | * 我只是个小感冒，不用**住院**吧？ |
| * Pinyin: Háizi fā gāoshāo, wǒmen gǎnjǐn sòng tā qù **zhùyuàn**. | * Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐshì ge xiǎo gǎnmào, bú yòng **zhùyuàn** ba? |
| * English: The child had a high fever, so we rushed him to be hospitalized. | * English: I just have a small cold, I don't need to be hospitalized, right? |
| * Analysis: `送 (sòng)` here means "to take someone to" a place. `赶紧 (gǎnjǐn)` conveys a sense of urgency. | * Analysis: This demonstrates a common-sense distinction. The particle 吧 (ba) is used here to seek confirmation, softening the tone. |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| * **Mistake 1: Confusing `住院 (zhùyuàn)` with `去医院 (qù yīyuàn)`.** | The most critical mistake for learners is confusing **住院 (zhùyuàn)** with **去医院 (qù yīyuàn)**. |
| * `去医院` just means "to go to the hospital." You could be visiting someone, having a routine check-up, or seeing a doctor as an outpatient. `住院` means you are being admitted to stay overnight. | * **去医院 (qù yīyuàn):** To //go// to the hospital. This refers to the simple act of traveling to the hospital building. You might go there for a routine check-up, to visit someone, to see a doctor for a minor issue, or for an emergency. It does **not** imply you are being admitted. |
| * **Incorrect:** 我感冒了，所以我**住院**了。 (Wǒ gǎnmào le, suǒyǐ wǒ zhùyuàn le.) - *This sounds overly dramatic, as a common cold rarely requires hospitalization.* | * **住院 (zhùyuàn):** To //be admitted// to the hospital. This is the specific action of being checked in as an inpatient to stay overnight or longer. |
| * **Correct:** 我感冒了，所以我**去医院看病**了。(Wǒ gǎnmào le, suǒyǐ wǒ qù yīyuàn kànbìng le.) - "I have a cold, so I went to the hospital to see a doctor." | **Example of incorrect usage:** |
| * **Mistake 2: Using `在医院 (zài yīyuàn)` when you mean `住院 (zhùyuàn)`.** | * Incorrect: 我头疼，所以我昨天**住院**了。 (Wǒ tóuténg, suǒyǐ wǒ zuótiān **zhùyuàn** le.) |
| * `他在医院 (Tā zài yīyuàn)` simply states his location: "He is at the hospital." He could be a doctor, a visitor, or waiting in the lobby. | * Why it's wrong: A simple headache (头疼) is almost never a reason for hospitalization. It sounds overly dramatic. |
| * `他住院了 (Tā zhùyuàn le)` specifies his status: "He has been hospitalized." This implies he is an admitted patient. To be precise, you should use `住院`. | * Correct: 我头疼，所以我昨天**去医院看了医生**。(Wǒ tóuténg, suǒyǐ wǒ zuótiān **qù yīyuàn kàn le yīshēng**.) -> "I had a headache, so I went to the hospital to see a doctor yesterday." |
| | Think of it this way: You first **去医院 (qù yīyuàn)** to **看病 (kànbìng)**. If the problem is serious, the doctor will tell you that you need to **住院 (zhùyuàn)**. |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| * **[[出院]] (chūyuàn)** - The direct antonym of `住院`; "to be discharged from the hospital." | * [[出院]] (chūyuàn) - To be discharged from the hospital. The direct antonym of 住院. |
| * **[[看病]] (kànbìng)** - A related but distinct action; "to see a doctor," typically as an outpatient. | * [[医院]] (yīyuàn) - Hospital. The place where one is hospitalized. |
| * **[[医院]] (yīyuàn)** - The location where one is hospitalized; "hospital." | * [[看病]] (kànbìng) - To see a doctor; to seek medical advice. The action that often precedes a decision to hospitalize. |
| * **[[医生]] (yīshēng)** - The professional who decides if you need to `住院`; "doctor." | * [[门诊]] (ménzhěn) - Outpatient service/clinic. This is the alternative to being hospitalized; you see a doctor and go home the same day. |
| * **[[护士]] (hùshi)** - The professional who cares for you during your hospital stay; "nurse." | * [[病人]] (bìngrén) - A patient; a sick person. The person who is hospitalized. |
| * **[[病人]] (bìngrén)** - The person who is `住院`; a "patient." | * [[病房]] (bìngfáng) - A hospital ward or room. The specific room a patient stays in. |
| * **[[手术]] (shǒushù)** - A common reason for being hospitalized; "surgery" or "operation." | * [[医生]] (yīshēng) - Doctor. The professional who decides if you need to 住院. |
| * **[[探病]] (tànbìng)** - The act of visiting a person who is `住院`; "to visit a patient." (More formal than `看 (kàn)`). | * [[护士]] (hùshi) - Nurse. The professional who provides care during your hospital stay. |
| * **[[病房]] (bìngfáng)** - The specific room a patient stays in; "hospital ward" or "sickroom." | * [[手术]] (shǒushù) - Surgery; operation. A very common reason for being hospitalized. |
| * **[[押金]] (yājīn)** - A culturally important term related to the process; "security deposit," which is often required upon hospital admission. | * [[探病]] (tànbìng) - To visit a sick person (in a hospital or at home). The action friends and family take when someone is 住院. |