100+ Medical Terms in Chinese: Essential Vocabulary for Healthcare

If you're studying Chinese for professional healthcare purposes, medical school, or daily life abroad, mastering medical terms in Chinese is vital. This guide introduces over 100 relevant vocabulary words across hospital types, roles, departments, tools, diseases, and anatomy—structured to give you immediate application in both formal and casual contexts.

Clear terminology opens doors to asking for help, understanding diagnoses, reading signs, and interacting with healthcare professionals. Precision matters here—so this article ensures not only semantic consistency and accuracy, but also completeness and trustworthiness to support your real-world communication.

100+ Medical Terms in Chinese: Key Words for Healthcare Settings
100+ Medical Terms in Chinese: Key Words for Healthcare Settings

I. Most Common and Useful Vocabulary Related to Medical Terms in Chinese

Learning healthcare-specific vocabulary begins with broad foundational knowledge, from the system structure to everyday medical expressions. You'll follow a strategic path by first learning institutional terms, then narrowing down to tools, illnesses, and body parts.

1. Types of Hospitals

Understanding hospital categories helps when navigating facilities, scheduling visits, or reading medical literature.

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

Types of Hospitals (Chinese Medical Terms)

1

医院

yīyuàn

Hospital

2

传染病医院

chuán rǎn bìng yīyuàn

Infectious Disease Hospital

3

野战医院

yězhàn yīyuàn

Field Hospital

4

中医院

zhōng yīyuàn

Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital

5

结核医院

jiéhé yīyuàn

Tuberculosis Hospital

6

整形外科医院

zhěng xíng wàikē yīyuàn

Plastic Surgery Hospital

7

牙科医院

yákē yīyuàn

Dental Hospital

8

儿童医院

értóng yīyuàn

Children's Hospital

9

麻风病院

máfēng bìng yuàn

Leprosy Hospital

10

妇产医院

fùchǎn yīyuàn

Maternity Hospital

11

口腔医院

kǒu qiāng yīyuàn

Stomatology Hospital (Oral & Maxillofacial)

12

精神病院

jīngshén bìng yuàn

Psychiatric Hospital

13

综合医院

zònghé yīyuàn

General/Multispecialty Hospital

14

肿瘤医院

zhǒngliú yīyuàn

Oncology Hospital

Famous Hospitals Around the World (in Chinese)

15

梅奥诊所

Méi’ào zhěnsuǒ

Mayo Clinic (USA)

16

克利夫兰诊所

Kèlìfúlán zhěnsuǒ

Cleveland Clinic (USA)

17

新加坡国立医院

Xīnjiāpō guólì yīyuàn

National University Hospital (Singapore)

18

查令十字医院

Chálíng shízì yīyuàn

Charing Cross Hospital (UK)

19

麻省总医院

Máshěng zǒng yīyuàn

Massachusetts General Hospital (USA)

20

多伦多综合医院

Duōlúntuō zònghé yīyuàn

Toronto General Hospital (Canada)

21

慕尼黑大学医院

Mùníhēi dàxué yīyuàn

LMU University Hospital Munich (Germany)

22

东京慈惠会医科大学附属医院

Dōngjīng cíhuì huì yīkē dàxué fùshǔ yīyuàn

Jikei University Hospital, Tokyo (Japan)

Names of Hospitals in China

23

华中同济医院

Huázhōng tóngjì yīyuàn

Tongji Hospital (Central China)

24

北大医院

Běidà yīyuàn

Peking University People’s Hospital

25

华山医院

Huàshān yīyuàn

Huashan Hospital

26

中山医院

Zhōngshān yīyuàn

Zhongshan Hospital

27

西京医院

Xījīng yīyuàn

Xijing Hospital

28

瑞金医院

Ruìjīn yīyuàn

Ruijin Hospital

29

解放军总医院

Jiěfàngjūn zǒng yīyuàn

PLA General Hospital (301 Hospital)

30

华西医院

Huáxī yīyuàn

West China Hospital

31

协和医院

Xiéhé yīyuàn

Peking Union Medical College Hospital

These terms give context when locating proper care or assisting others in emergencies.

2. Positions and Job Titles

Medical roles vary by structure and specialization. These are the most widely used titles in Chinese medical terminology:

Positions and Job Titles
Positions and Job Titles

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

医院院长

Yīyuàn yuàn zhǎng

Hospital Director

2

医院副院长

Yīyuàn fù yuàn zhǎng

Deputy Hospital Director

3

院长

Yuànzhǎng

Director / Chief of Department

4

药剂师

Yàojì shī

Pharmacist

5

副院长

Fù yuàn zhǎng

Deputy Director / Assistant Dean

6

医生

Yīshēng

Doctor

7

住院医生

Zhùyuàn yīshēng

Resident Doctor

8

营养师

Yíngyǎng shī

Nutritionist

9

麻醉师

Mázuì shī

Anesthesiologist

10

外科医生

Wàikē yīshēng

Surgeon

11

内科医生

Nèikē yīshēng

Internist (Internal Medicine Doctor)

12

实习医生

Shíxí yīshēng

Medical Intern

13

疗养院

Liáoyǎng yuàn

Nursing Home / Rehabilitation Center

14

助产士

Zhùchǎnshì

Midwife

15

护士

Hùshì

Nurse

16

护士长

Hùshì zhǎng

Head Nurse

17

实习护士

Shíxí hùshì

Nursing Intern

Knowing these roles makes it easier to ask for the right help in clinical or hospital settings.

3. Medical Departments

Recognizing departments on hospital signage or referrals is key to navigating Chinese healthcare systems:

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

皮肤科

pífū kē

Dermatology (Skin Department)

2

脑外科

nǎo wàikē

Neurosurgery (Brain Surgery Department)

3

矫形外科

jiǎo xíng wàikē

Orthopedic Surgery Department

4

儿科

érkē

Pediatrics

5

放射科

fàng shè kē

Radiology Department

6

口腔科

kǒu qiāng kē

Stomatology / Dentistry

7

妇产科

fùchǎnkē

Obstetrics and Gynecology

8

耳鼻喉科

ěrbí hóu kē

ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat)

9

神经科

shénjīng kē

Neurology

10

泌尿科

mìniào kē

Urology

11

心脏外科

xīnzàng wàikē

Cardiac Surgery / Heart Surgery

12

推拿科

tuīná kē

Tuina Therapy (Medical Massage Department)

13

骨科

gǔkē

Orthopedics

14

针灸科

zhēn jiǔ kē

Acupuncture Department

15

眼科

yǎnkē

Ophthalmology (Eye Department)

16

外科

wàikē

Surgery Department

17

内科

nèikē

Internal Medicine

These terms are useful when making appointments or understanding prescriptions.

4. Rooms and Wards

These terms of medical terms in Chinese help you locate areas within clinics or hospitals:

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

病房

bìngfáng

Patient Room / Ward

2

隔离病房

gélí bìngfáng

Isolation Ward

3

急诊室

jízhěn shì

Emergency Room

4

加护病房

jiāhù bìngfáng

Intensive Care Unit (ICU)

5

诊疗所

zhěnliáo suǒ

Clinic / Diagnosis and Treatment Center

6

诊疗室

zhěnliáo shì

Examination Room

7

心电图室

xīn diàntú shì

ECG Room / Electrocardiogram Room

8

电疗室

diàn liáo shì

Electrotherapy Room

9

药房

yàofáng

Pharmacy / Drugstore

10

妇产科病房

fùchǎn kē bìngfáng

Maternity Ward

11

护理部

hùlǐ bù

Nursing Station / Nursing Department

12

化验科

huàyàn kē

Laboratory / Test Department

13

化疗室

huà liáo shì

Chemotherapy Room

14

门诊部

mén zhěn bù

Outpatient Department

15

超声波检查室

chāo shēng bō jiǎnchá shì

Ultrasound Room

16

手术室

shǒu shù shì

Operating Room / Surgery Room

17

挂号处

guà hào chù

Registration Desk

18

观察室

guān chá shì

Observation Room

19

住院部

zhù yuàn bù

Inpatient Department

20

理疗室

lǐ liáo shì

Physical Therapy Room

Whether you're a patient or visitor, knowing how to say these places improves orientation and comprehension.

5. Medical Tools and Equipment

From checkups to procedures, these tools are central in any medical environment:

Medical Tools and Equipment
Medical Tools and Equipment in Chinese

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

医疗品用器具

yīliáo pǐn yòng qìjù

Medical instruments

2

手术台

shǒushù tái

Operating table

3

视力表

shìlì biǎo

Eye chart

4

绷带

bēngdài

Bandage / Gauze roll

5

氧气吸入器

yǎngqì xīrù qì

Oxygen inhaler / Oxygen tank

6

消毒脱脂棉花

xiāodú tuōzhī miánhuā

Sterilized cotton

7

体温计

tǐwēnjì

Thermometer

8

担架

dānjià

Stretcher

9

缝线

fèngxiàn

Surgical suture / Stitching thread

10

手术刀

shǒushù dāo

Scalpel

11

压舌板

yā shé bǎn

Tongue depressor

12

视力计

shìlì jì

Vision tester

13

手术灯

shǒushù dēng

Surgical light

14

脑电图

nǎo diàn tú

EEG (Electroencephalogram)

15

轮椅

lúnyǐ

Wheelchair

16

分娩椅

fēnmiǎn yǐ

Delivery chair

17

诊断床

zhěnduàn chuáng

Examination bed

18

急救箱

jíjiù xiāng

First aid kit

19

医药箱

yīyào xiāng

Medical supply box

20

外科镊

wàikē niè

Surgical forceps

21

医用口罩

yīyòng kǒuzhào

Medical face mask

22

注射针头

zhùshè zhēntóu

Injection needle

23

显微镜

xiǎnwéijìng

Microscope

24

检眼镜

jiǎn yǎnjìng

Ophthalmoscope

25

检鼻镜

jiǎn bí jìng

Nasal speculum

26

X光机

X guāngjī

X-ray machine

27

电子血球计算机

diànzǐ xiěqiú jìsuànjī

Automated blood cell counter

28

肺活量计

fèihuóliàng jì

Spirometer

29

血压计

xiěyā jì

Blood pressure monitor

30

脑动电流描记器

nǎo dòng diànliú miáojì qì

Brainwave recorder

31

心电图机

xīndiàntú jī

ECG machine

32

短波电疗机

duǎnbō diànliáo jī

Shortwave therapy machine

33

微波电疗器

wéibō diànliáo qì

Microwave treatment device

34

助听器

zhùtīngqì

Hearing aid

35

石膏夹板

shígāo jiábǎn

Plaster splint / Cast brace

36

听诊器

tīngzhěnqì

Stethoscope

37

导尿管

dǎo niào guǎn

Catheter

38

氧气管

yǎngqì guǎn

Oxygen tube

39

检耳镜

jiǎn ěr jìng

Otoscope (Ear scope)

40

夹板

jiábǎn

Splint

41

超声波诊断仪

chāoshēngbō zhěnduàn yí

Ultrasound diagnostic device

42

注射器

zhùshèqì

Syringe

This section expands your medical vocabulary in Chinese to cover functional and situational tools.

6. Types of Illnesses

Communicating about conditions is essential—especially when describing symptoms or understanding a diagnosis:

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

胃反流

wèi fǎn liú

Acid reflux / Gastric reflux

2

便秘

biànmì

Constipation

3

偏头痛

piāntóutòng

Migraine

4

哮喘

xiāochuǎn

Asthma

5

皮肤病

pífū bìng

Skin disease

6

麻疹

mázhěn

Measles

7

近视眼

jìnshì yǎn

Nearsightedness / Myopia

8

散光

sànguāng

Astigmatism

9

心力衰竭

xīnlì shuāijié

Heart failure

10

肝病

gānbìng

Liver disease

11

心理病

xīnlǐ bìng

Mental illness / Psychological disorder

Being clear on these terms helps you discuss symptoms and ask informed questions.

7. Body Parts

This set reinforces your ability to describe pain or injury locations. It’s critical to know these when seeking help:

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

鼻子

bízi

Nose

2

舌头

shétou

Tongue

3

肚子

dùzi

Abdomen / Belly

4

心脏

xīnzàng

Heart

5

fèi

Lungs

6

大脑

dànǎo

Brain

7

肾脏

shènzàng

Kidney

8

胰腺

yíxiàn

Pancreas

9

直肠

zhícháng

Rectum

10

wèi

Stomach

11

官能

guānnéng

Sensory function / Sense organ

12

视觉

shìjué

Vision / Sense of sight

13

听觉

tīngjué

Hearing / Sense of hearing

Linking these with symptoms boosts your practical usage of medical words in Chinese.

8. Other Vocabulary

Here are additional terms commonly seen on forms, prescriptions, or signage:

No.

Medical Terms in Chinese

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

患者

huànzhě

Patient

2

诊断

zhěnduàn

Diagnosis

3

急救站

jíjiù zhàn

First-aid station / Emergency post

4

治疗

zhìliáo

Treatment / Therapy

5

感染

gǎnrǎn

Infection

6

门诊

ménzhěn

Outpatient consultation

7

急诊

jízhěn

Emergency care / ER visit

8

住院

zhùyuàn

Hospitalization / Inpatient stay

9

挂号

guàhào

Medical registration (for consultation)

10

自费

zìfèi

Self-pay / Out-of-pocket expense

11

保险

bǎoxiǎn

Insurance

12

开药

kāiyào

Prescribe medicine

13

动手术

dòng shǒushù

Perform surgery / Undergo surgery

14

病毒 (corrected)

bìngdú

Virus

15

细菌

xìjūn

Bacteria

This vocabulary brings you closer to fluency in navigating Chinese healthcare institutions and services.

II. Sample Sentences for Medical-Themed Conversations

Combining key medical terms in Chinese with sentence-level knowledge improves your speaking confidence. Start with these common examples:

No.

Chinese Sentence

Pinyin

English Meaning

1

我需要看内科医生吗?

Wǒ xūyào kàn nèikē yīshēng ma?

Do I need to see an internal medicine doctor?

2

请问这里是急诊室吗?

Qǐngwèn zhèlǐ shì jízhěn shì ma?

Excuse me, is this the emergency room?

3

我有高血压和糖尿病的家族史。

Wǒ yǒu gāo xuèyā hé tángniàobìng de jiāzú shǐ.

I have a family history of hypertension and diabetes.

4

我需要做一个X光检查。

Wǒ xūyào zuò yīgè X guāng jiǎnchá.

I need to have an X-ray examination.

5

我最近失眠很严重。

Wǒ zuìjìn shīmián hěn yánzhòng.

Lately, I’ve been experiencing serious insomnia.

6

请问这个药品有什么副作用吗?

Qǐngwèn zhège yàopǐn yǒu shénme fùzuòyòng ma?

Does this medication have any side effects?

7

请问这个药需要每天几次服用?

Qǐngwèn zhège yào xūyào měitiān jǐ cì fùyòng?

How many times a day should I take this medicine?

8

我需要做一些化验吗?

Wǒ xūyào zuò yīxiē huàyàn ma?

Do I need to do some lab tests?

9

你好!我想预约看医生。

Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ xiǎng yùyuē kàn yīshēng.

Hello! I’d like to schedule a doctor’s appointment.

10

请给我一份健康检查报告。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yī fèn jiànkāng jiǎnchá bàogào.

Please give me a copy of my health check-up report.

These structures help express your health concerns respectfully and accurately.

III. Conclusion

Mastering over 100 medical terms in Chinese empowers you to handle healthcare interactions with greater awareness, empathy, and personal safety—whether you're making appointments, describing symptoms, or reading medical signs. With clearly categorized vocabulary, contextual phrases, and reliable pronunciation, you're now equipped to approach Chinese healthcare with confidence.

To reinforce what you've learned, try matching Chinese labels to items around your home, practice dialogues with a partner, or explore videos offering English to Chinese medical terminology examples in real use.

 

Chloe
Product Content Admin

Hi I'm Chloe, and I am currently serving as an Product Content Administrator at Prep Education. With over five years of experience in independent online IELTS study and exam preparation, I am confident in my ability to support learners in achieving their highest possible scores.

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