Keywords: jinshi, 近视, nearsightedness in Chinese, myopia in Chinese, I am nearsighted Chinese, bad eyesight Chinese, how to say glasses in Chinese, Chinese vision problems, Chinese eyesight.
Summary: Learn how to say and use 近视 (jìnshì), the Chinese word for 'nearsightedness' or 'myopia'. This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, character breakdown, and cultural context related to high academic pressure in China. Discover practical example sentences for talking about eyesight, getting glasses (眼镜), and describing vision problems, perfect for beginners learning essential daily vocabulary.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): jìnshì
Part of Speech: Noun, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: The condition of being unable to see distant objects clearly; nearsightedness or myopia.
In a Nutshell:近视 (jìnshì) is the direct medical and conversational term for being nearsighted. If you can see things up close but far-away objects are blurry, you have 近视. It's an extremely common and neutral word in China, used both when describing your own vision and in clinical settings like an eye doctor's office.
Character Breakdown
近 (jìn): This character means “near,” “close,” or “to approach.” It depicts an axe (斤) near a path, signifying getting close to something.
视 (shì): This character means “to see,” “vision,” or “sight.” The left part (礻) is a variant of the “spirit” or “omen” radical, and the right part is 见 (jiàn), which itself means “to see.”
Together, 近视 (jìnshì) literally translates to “near-sight.” This is a perfect and intuitive description of the condition: only having clear vision for things that are near.
Cultural Context and Significance
In China, 近视 is more than just a medical condition; it's a widespread societal phenomenon. The prevalence of myopia among children and young adults is among the highest in the world, a fact widely attributed to the country's intense, highly competitive education system. From a very young age, students spend long hours reading, writing, and studying indoors, which are major contributing factors to developing 近视.
Comparison to the West: While getting glasses is a normal part of life everywhere, in China, the high rate of 近视 is a topic of national health concern and frequent public discussion. It's often viewed as an unfortunate but expected side effect of academic diligence. You will frequently encounter public service announcements and school-led initiatives aimed at “protecting eyesight” (保护视力, bǎohù shìlì), such as mandatory eye exercises during the school day.
Related Values: The term is intrinsically linked to the high cultural value placed on education (教育, jiàoyù) and academic success. For many families, a child developing 近视 is a sign of their hard work and dedication to their studies, even while it remains a health concern.
Practical Usage in Modern China
近视 is a neutral, everyday term used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal medical diagnoses.
As a noun: It refers to the condition itself.
e.g., 我有近视。 (Wǒ yǒu jìnshì.) - I have myopia.
As an adjective: It can be used to describe a person or their eyes.
e.g., 我近视了。 (Wǒ jìnshì le.) - I've become nearsighted.
e.g., 他有一双近视眼。 (Tā yǒu yī shuāng jìnshì yǎn.) - He has a pair of nearsighted eyes.
When discussing the severity, people use 度 (dù), which means “degree.”
e.g., 我近视五百度。 (Wǒ jìnshì wǔbǎi dù.) - I am 500 degrees nearsighted. (Equivalent to a -5.0 diopter prescription).
English: If you have both myopia and astigmatism, you need to get a special pair of glasses.
Analysis: Shows how 近视 is used alongside other vision-related terms like 散光 (sǎnguāng), astigmatism.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using for metaphorical “shortsightedness”.
In English, “shortsighted” can mean a lack of foresight or poor long-term planning. The Chinese term 近视 is almost exclusively a literal, medical term for eyesight. Using it metaphorically will sound very unnatural.
Incorrect: 他做生意很近视。 (Tā zuò shēngyì hěn jìnshì.)
Correct: To express a lack of foresight, you must use a different term like 目光短浅 (mùguāng duǎnqiǎn), which literally means “eyesight is short.”
Example: 他做生意目光短浅，只关心眼前利益。 (Tā zuò shēngyì mùguāng duǎnqiǎn, zhǐ guānxīn yǎnqián lìyì.) - He is shortsighted in business, only caring about immediate profits.
Mistake 2: Confusing the condition with the symptom.
近视 is the condition of being nearsighted. 模糊 (móhu) is the symptom of seeing things in a blurry way. You have 近视, which causes distant objects to look 模糊.
Incorrect: 我看黑板很近视。 (Wǒ kàn hēibǎn hěn jìnshì.)
Correct: 因为我近视，所以看黑板很模糊。 (Yīnwèi wǒ jìnshì, suǒyǐ kàn hēibǎn hěn móhu.) - Because I'm nearsighted, the blackboard looks very blurry.
Related Terms and Concepts
* 远视 (yuǎnshì) - Farsightedness (hyperopia). The direct antonym of 近视.
* 眼镜 (yǎnjìng) - Eyeglasses. The most common solution for 近视.