bìnglì: 病历 - Medical Record, Patient File
Quick Summary
Keywords: bìnglì, 病历, medical record in Chinese, patient file, Chinese medical terms, EMR China, hospital records, seeing a doctor in China, health records, 病历本
Summary: The Chinese term 病历 (bìnglì) refers to a patient's medical record or case file. Understanding this term is essential for anyone needing to see a doctor in China, as the bìnglì is the central document that tracks your entire health history, from symptoms and diagnoses to prescriptions. Whether it's a traditional paper booklet or a modern electronic medical record (EMR), your bìnglì is the key to receiving continuous and informed medical care in the Chinese healthcare system.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bìnglì
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: A patient's official medical record or case history file.
In a Nutshell: Think of a 病历 (bìnglì) as your health passport within the Chinese medical system. It's not just a collection of a doctor's notes; it's the official, ongoing log of your medical journey. In the past, this was a physical booklet you carried from one hospital to another. Now, it's often electronic, but the principle remains: the bìnglì contains all the vital information a doctor needs to understand your history and treat you effectively.
Character Breakdown
病 (bìng): Sickness, illness, disease. The character features the “sickness” radical `疒`. This radical is a major clue, appearing in many characters related to ailments and diseases, like `疼 (téng)` for pain or `癌 (ái)` for cancer. It visually signals that the concept has to do with health problems.
历 (lì): History, record, to experience. This character implies a progression or a sequence of events over time. You see it in words like `历史 (lìshǐ)` for history and `简历 (jiǎnlì)` for résumé/CV.
When combined, 病历 (bìnglì) literally translates to “sickness history,” a perfectly logical and descriptive name for a medical record.
Cultural Context and Significance
The concept of a 病历 (bìnglì) highlights a key procedural difference between the Chinese and many Western healthcare systems. In the United States, for instance, medical records are typically created and maintained by individual hospitals or clinics. Patients must formally request copies, and transferring records between providers can be a cumbersome process.
Historically in China, the patient was often the primary custodian of their own medical record, in the form of a small booklet called a 病历本 (bìnglìběn). You would purchase this booklet at the hospital on your first visit and be responsible for bringing it to every subsequent appointment, even at different hospitals. This practice fostered a sense of personal responsibility for one's own health information.
While major hospitals are rapidly transitioning to sophisticated 电子病历 (diànzǐ bìnglì) (Electronic Medical Records), the underlying expectation remains. The bìnglì is the single source of truth for your care. Without it, a doctor may have to start from scratch, ordering new tests and re-asking basic history questions. It embodies the procedural, step-by-step nature of navigating the often large and crowded Chinese hospital system. Having your bìnglì in order is a sign of a prepared and responsible patient.
Practical Usage in Modern China
The use of 病历 (bìnglì) is a non-negotiable part of seeking medical care in China.
First Hospital Visit: On your first visit to a hospital, you will likely be directed to a specific window to 建档 (jiàndàng), which means “to create a file.” Here, you will establish your official 病历 (bìnglì), which may be a physical 病历本 (bìnglìběn), a hospital card linked to an electronic record, or both.
Doctor's Consultation: When you see the doctor, one of the first things they will ask for is your 病历. They will review your past visits, write new notes, and record the diagnosis and treatment plan directly into it.
Electronic vs. Paper: In modern, first-tier city hospitals, your information is primarily stored in an 电子病历 (diànzǐ bìnglì) system. However, they may still give you printouts of your diagnosis, test results, or prescriptions to keep. In smaller cities or local clinics, the paper 病历本 is still very common.
Formality: The term is neutral and standard. It's used by doctors, nurses, patients, and administrative staff. There isn't really an informal or slang equivalent.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
第一次来这家医院，我需要先去买一个病历本。
Pinyin: Dì yī cì lái zhè jiā yīyuàn, wǒ xūyào xiān qù mǎi yí ge bìnglìběn.
English: This is my first time at this hospital, I need to go buy a medical record book first.
Analysis: This sentence describes a very common first step for a new patient at many Chinese hospitals, highlighting the physical booklet form, the 病历本 (bìnglìběn).
Example 2:
医生，请您看看我的病历，我上周也来看过病。
Pinyin: Yīshēng, qǐng nín kànkan wǒ de bìnglì, wǒ shàng zhōu yě lái kàn guo bìng.
English: Doctor, please take a look at my medical record; I also came in for a visit last week.
Analysis: This is a typical sentence used by a patient to ensure continuity of care by referring the doctor to past entries in their file.
Example 3:
医生正在往我的病历上写诊断结果。
Pinyin: Yīshēng zhèngzài wǎng wǒ de bìnglì shàng xiě zhěnduàn jiéguǒ.
English: The doctor is writing the diagnosis results in my medical record.
Analysis: This shows the active role of the 病历 as a document that is updated in real-time during a consultation.
Example 4:
现在大医院都用电子病历了，又快又方便。
Pinyin: Xiànzài dà yīyuàn dōu yòng diànzǐ bìnglì le, yòu kuài yòu fāngbiàn.
English: Big hospitals all use electronic medical records now; it's both fast and convenient.
Analysis: This sentence reflects the modernization of the Chinese healthcare system and introduces the important term 电子病历 (diànzǐ bìnglì).
Example 5:
如果你要报销，保险公司可能会需要你的病历复印件。
Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ yào bàoxiāo, bǎoxiǎn gōngsī kěnéng huì xūyào nǐ de bìnglì fùyìnjiàn.
English: If you want to get reimbursed, the insurance company might require a copy of your medical records.
Analysis: This demonstrates the official and legal importance of the 病历 outside of the immediate doctor-patient interaction, particularly for administrative purposes like insurance claims.
Example 6:
他的病很复杂，病历已经有好几本那么厚了。
Pinyin: Tā de bìng hěn fùzá, bìnglì yǐjīng yǒu hǎo jǐ běn nàme hòu le.
English: His illness is very complicated; his medical records are already as thick as several books.
Analysis: This uses the thickness of the 病历 as a metaphor for the complexity and long duration of a patient's illness, a common way of expressing this idea.
Example 7:
请把您的病历给我，我需要查看一下您对哪些药物过敏。
Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nín de bìnglì gěi wǒ, wǒ xūyào chákàn yíxià nín duì nǎxiē yàowù guòmǐn.
English: Please give me your medical record, I need to check which medications you are allergic to.
Analysis: A crucial safety-related use case. The 病历 is the primary source for critical information like allergies.
Example 8:
转院的时候，别忘了带上你以前所有的病历资料。
Pinyin: Zhuǎnyuàn de shíhou, bié wàng le dài shang nǐ yǐqián suǒyǒu de bìnglì zīliào.
English: When you transfer to another hospital, don't forget to bring all of your previous medical records.
Analysis: This reinforces the idea that the patient is often responsible for ensuring their medical history travels with them between different healthcare providers.
Example 9:
这份病历详细记录了患者的症状、治疗过程和恢复情况。
Pinyin: Zhè fèn bìnglì xiángxì jìlù le huànzhě de zhèngzhuàng, zhìliáo guòchéng hé huīfù qíngkuàng.
English: This medical record details the patient's symptoms, treatment process, and recovery status.
Analysis: This sentence breaks down the typical contents of a 病历, showing it's a comprehensive document, not just a diagnosis.
Example 10:
我的病历本丢了，我需要去医院补办一个。
Pinyin: Wǒ de bìnglìběn diū le, wǒ xūyào qù yīyuàn bǔbàn yí ge.
English: I lost my medical record book, I need to go to the hospital to get a replacement.
Analysis: This illustrates a common problem when dealing with physical records and the procedure to remedy it.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
A frequent point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 病历 (bìnglì) from 病情 (bìngqíng). They look and sound similar but are fundamentally different.
病历 (bìnglì): The RECORD. This is the physical or digital file, the piece of paper, the booklet, or the entry in the computer system. It is a tangible noun.
病情 (bìngqíng): The CONDITION. This refers to the state or severity of the illness itself. It is an abstract concept.
Incorrect: 我的病历很严重。 (Wǒ de bìnglì hěn yánzhòng.) → My medical record is very serious.
Correct: 我的病情很严重。 (Wǒ de bìngqíng hěn yánzhòng.) → My medical condition is very serious.
Incorrect: 医生看了看我的病情。 (Yīshēng kàn le kan wǒ de bìngqíng.)
Correct: 医生看了看我的病历。 (Yīshēng kàn le kan wǒ de bìnglì.) → The doctor looked at my medical record.
Correct: 医生检查了我的病情。 (Yīshēng jiǎnchá le wǒ de bìngqíng.) → The doctor examined my medical condition.
病历本 (bìnglìběn) - The physical medical record booklet, a more specific form of `病历`.
电子病历 (diànzǐ bìnglì) - The modern Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system.
看病 (kànbìng) - The general term for “to see a doctor.” Your goal when you `kànbìng` is to have your `病历` updated.
挂号 (guàhào) - To register for an appointment at a hospital, the first step before a doctor can see you and your `病历`.
诊断 (zhěnduàn) - Diagnosis. This is one of the key pieces of information written into a `病历`.
处方 (chǔfāng) - Prescription. Another key piece of information recorded in the `病历`.
病情 (bìngqíng) - The patient's condition. The `病历` is the official record of the `病情`.
住院 (zhùyuàn) - To be hospitalized. This generates a much more detailed `病历`.
出院 (chūyuàn) - To be discharged from the hospital. The final `病历` summary is created upon discharge.
体检报告 (tǐjiǎn bàogào) - A physical examination/check-up report. This is similar to a `病历` but is for preventative health checks rather than illness treatment.