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.
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:
|
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:
|
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 |
肺 |
fèi |
Lungs |
|
6 |
大脑 |
dànǎo |
Brain |
|
7 |
肾脏 |
shènzàng |
Kidney |
|
8 |
胰腺 |
yíxiàn |
Pancreas |
|
9 |
直肠 |
zhícháng |
Rectum |
|
10 |
胃 |
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.

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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