dǎzhēn: 打针 - To Get/Give an Injection, To Get a Shot
Quick Summary
Keywords: dazhen, 打针, get a shot in Chinese, injection in Chinese, Chinese for vaccine, to get an injection, Chinese medical terms, HSK 打针, 看病 (kànbìng), 医生 (yīshēng), nurse in Chinese, hospital in Chinese
Summary: “打针” (dǎzhēn) is a fundamental Chinese term meaning “to get an injection” or “to get a shot.” Composed of “打” (to hit) and “针” (needle), this verb is essential for anyone navigating the Chinese healthcare system, from getting a simple vaccine to receiving medicine via injection. This page will break down its meaning, cultural context, and provide practical examples for everyday use, making it a crucial vocabulary word for students and expatriates in China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎzhēn
Part of Speech: Verb-Object Compound (functions as a verb)
HSK Level: HSK 2
Concise Definition: To give or receive a hypodermic injection.
In a Nutshell: `打针` is the go-to, everyday word for the action of a needle delivering medicine into the body. It covers everything from a flu shot to a medical injection prescribed by a doctor. The term itself is very direct and action-oriented, vividly capturing the physical act. It's the word a doctor uses, a parent says to a child, and what you would use to explain your medical needs.
Character Breakdown
打 (dǎ): This character's primary meaning is “to hit” or “to strike.” In many Chinese words, it functions as a versatile action verb, indicating that an action is being performed with the object that follows. Think of `打电话 (dǎ diànhuà)` - “to make a phone call.”
针 (zhēn): This character means “needle.” The left-side radical `钅 (jīn)` signifies metal, and the right side provides the sound. It refers to any kind of needle, but especially one for sewing or medical purposes.
Combined Meaning: Together, `打针 (dǎzhēn)` literally translates to “hit with a needle.” This might sound aggressive in English, but in Chinese, it's a perfect, concise description of the action: performing an action (`打`) with a needle (`针`).
Cultural Context and Significance
In China, receiving an injection (`打针`) or an IV drip (`打点滴`) is a very common medical treatment, sometimes perceived by the public as more potent and faster-acting than oral medication (`吃药`). While this is changing with modern medical practice, it's not unusual for a doctor to prescribe an injection for a severe flu or infection where a Western doctor might stick to pills.
Comparison with “Getting a Shot”: The core concept is identical to “getting a shot” in English. However, the cultural threshold for receiving one might be slightly different. The term `打针` can also casually encompass IV drips, which are a much more common sight in Chinese clinics and hospitals for treating dehydration from illnesses like fever or food poisoning. In the West, an IV drip is often reserved for more serious hospital-level emergencies.
Attitude: For children, the fear of `打针` is a universal cultural experience, and it's a common theme in conversations between parents and children. For adults, it's seen as a routine, if slightly unpleasant, part of `看病` (seeing a doctor). There isn't a major stigma or fear around it; it's simply a practical and effective method of treatment.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`打针` is used in all medical contexts. It's a neutral term, appropriate for both formal and informal situations.
Patient's Perspective vs. Nurse's Perspective: The term is used for both giving and receiving the shot. The context makes the meaning clear.
Patient: `我需要打针。` (Wǒ xūyào dǎzhēn.) - I need to get a shot.
Nurse: `我来给你打针。` (Wǒ lái gěi nǐ dǎzhēn.) - I'm here to give you your shot.
Specificity: While `打针` is a general term, more specific terms are often used when needed:
`打疫苗 (dǎ yìmiáo)` - To get a vaccine.
`打预防针 (dǎ yùfángzhēn)` - To get a vaccination/preventative shot.
`打点滴 (dǎ diǎndī)` - To get an IV drip.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
我害怕打针。
Pinyin: Wǒ hàipà dǎzhēn.
English: I'm afraid of getting shots.
Analysis: A very common and simple sentence expressing fear. `害怕 (hàipà)` means “to be afraid of.” This is something a child or even an adult might say.
English: The doctor said I need to go to the hospital tomorrow to get an injection.
Analysis: This shows how `打针` is used in a sequence of events. `医生 (yīshēng)` is doctor, and `医院 (yīyuàn)` is hospital.
Example 3:
护士，打针会很疼吗？
Pinyin: Hùshi, dǎzhēn huì hěn téng ma?
English: Nurse, will the injection hurt a lot?
Analysis: A typical question a patient might ask a `护士 (hùshi)`, the nurse. `疼 (téng)` means “to hurt” or “painful.”
Example 4:
为了预防流感，我们全家都去打针了。
Pinyin: Wèile yùfáng liúgǎn, wǒmen quánjiā dōu qù dǎzhēn le.
English: To prevent the flu, our whole family went to get shots.
Analysis: Here, `打针` is used in the context of preventative medicine. `为了 (wèile)` means “in order to,” and `流感 (liúgǎn)` is the flu. This could also be phrased as `打预防针 (dǎ yùfángzhēn)`.
Example 5:
妈妈，我不想打针！
Pinyin: Māma, wǒ bùxiǎng dǎzhēn!
English: Mom, I don't want to get a shot!
Analysis: A classic phrase from a child. `不想 (bùxiǎng)` expresses “don't want to.”
Example 6:
你打针还是吃药？
Pinyin: Nǐ dǎzhēn háishì chīyào?
English: Are you going to get an injection or take medicine?
Analysis: This presents the two common forms of treatment as a choice. `还是 (háishì)` is a conjunction used for choices in questions, and `吃药 (chīyào)` means “to take medicine.”
Example 7:
我的狗每年都需要打针。
Pinyin: Wǒ de gǒu měinián dōu xūyào dǎzhēn.
English: My dog needs to get shots every year.
Analysis: Shows that `打针` applies to animals as well as humans. `狗 (gǒu)` is dog, and `每年 (měinián)` is “every year.”
English: The nurse is giving an injection to that little boy.
Analysis: This example clearly shows `打针` used from the perspective of the person *giving* the shot. The structure `给 (gěi) + person + 打针` means “to give an injection to someone.”
English: Have you gotten the COVID vaccine? I just got the shot last week.
Analysis: A very contemporary example. Note how the first sentence uses the specific term `打疫苗 (dǎ yìmiáo)`, and the reply uses the general term `打针` because the context is already established.
Example 10:
因为发高烧，他在诊所打针打了一下午。
Pinyin: Yīnwèi fā gāoshāo, tā zài zhěnsuǒ dǎzhēn dǎ le yí xiàwǔ.
English: Because he had a high fever, he was at the clinic getting an IV drip for the whole afternoon.
Analysis: In this context, `打针打了一下午` (“getting a shot for an entire afternoon”) strongly implies an IV drip (`打点滴`). It shows how the general term `打针` can be used colloquially to refer to a longer procedure.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Don't Translate “打 (dǎ)” as “Hit”: The most common mistake is to be confused by `打`. Learners see “hit” and “needle” and think it sounds violent or incorrect. Remember, `打针` is a set phrase, a verb-object compound that functions as a single verb. You are not “hitting” a needle.
`打针` vs. `打点滴 (dǎ diǎndī)`: `打针` is the general term for any injection. `打点滴 (dǎ diǎndī)` specifically means “to get an IV drip.” While you might hear people use `打针` to refer to an IV drip colloquially (as in Example 10), if you specifically need an IV, `打点滴` is the correct and clearer term to use.
The Action vs. The Substance: `打针` is the *action*. The *substance* being injected has its own name.
Incorrect: `我需要一个疫苗。` (Wǒ xūyào yíge yìmiáo.) - “I need a vaccine.” This is grammatically awkward.
Correct: `我需要打疫苗。` (Wǒ xūyào dǎ yìmiáo.) - “I need to get a vaccine (shot).” The verb `打` is crucial.
Related Terms and Concepts
打点滴 (dǎ diǎndī) - To get an IV drip. A more specific type of `打针` that lasts for a longer period.
疫苗 (yìmiáo) - Vaccine. The substance injected, often used with `打` to form the verb `打疫苗`.
预防针 (yùfángzhēn) - A vaccination, a preventative shot. A compound of “prevent” and “needle.”
看病 (kànbìng) - To see a doctor. This is the activity that leads to a diagnosis and potential `打针`.
吃药 (chīyào) - To take medicine (orally). The most common alternative to `打针`.
护士 (hùshi) - Nurse. The medical professional who usually administers the injection.
医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor. The person who prescribes the treatment.
医院 (yīyuàn) - Hospital. A place where you would go to `打针`.
诊所 (zhěnsuǒ) - Clinic. A smaller medical office, also a place to `打针`.
疼 (téng) / 痛 (tòng) - Pain, to hurt. The sensation most commonly associated with `打针`.