Overview
着凉 (zháo liáng) is a common Chinese verb that literally translates to 'to catch cold' or 'to be affected by cold.' It describes the physical experience of one's body being exposed to a cold environment or a sudden drop in temperature, leading to the onset of cold-like symptoms. This can happen in various situations, such as not wearing enough warm clothing in cold weather, sitting in a draft, or being exposed to air conditioning for too long. The '着' (zháo) character in this context indicates the result or accomplishment of an action, implying that the 'cold' (凉, liáng) has successfully 'affected' or 'caught' the person.
When someone says they '着凉'ed, it typically means they are starting to feel unwell with symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, or mild fever. It's often used as a preliminary diagnosis for oneself or others, indicating the early stages of a common cold. In traditional Chinese medicine, '着凉' is associated with an imbalance in the body's 'qi' (气), specifically an invasion of 'cold' (寒, hán) into the body, which can disrupt its normal functions.
Culturally, there's a strong emphasis in China on preventing '着凉' through various practices, such as wearing appropriate clothing, avoiding cold drinks, and eating warm foods, especially during colder months or when transitioning between seasons. When talking to someone who looks unwell, a common caring question would be '你是不是着凉了？' (Nǐ shì bu shì zháo liáng le?), meaning 'Did you catch a cold?' or 'Are you feeling cold?' The response might be '我有点儿着凉了' (Wǒ yǒudiǎnr zháo liáng le), 'I've caught a bit of a cold.'
It's important to differentiate '着凉' from more severe illnesses like the flu, though the initial symptoms might overlap. '着凉' generally refers to a milder condition, often attributed to environmental factors, whereas '感冒' (gǎnmào) is a broader term for a common cold, and '流感' (liúgǎn) specifically refers to influenza. While '着凉' can lead to '感冒,' it often emphasizes the cause (exposure to cold) rather than just the symptoms of the cold itself.
Usage examples:
- 1天气冷，多穿点儿衣服，别着凉了。(Tiānqì lěng, duō chuān diǎnr yīfu, bié zháo liáng le.) - The weather is cold, wear more clothes, don't catch a cold.
- 1他昨天晚上没盖被子，结果着凉了。(Tā zuótiān wǎnshang méi gài bèizi, jiéguǒ zháo liáng le.) - He didn't cover himself with a quilt last night, and as a result, he caught a cold.
- 1孩子一着凉就容易咳嗽。(Háizi yī zháo liáng jiù róngyì késòu.) - Children tend to cough easily once they catch a cold.
- 1夏天空调开得太低，很容易着凉。(Xiàtiān kōngtiáo kāi de tài dī, hěn róngyì zháo liáng.) - In summer, if the air conditioning is set too low, it's very easy to catch a cold.
Exemples
If you don't wear more clothes, you'll catch a cold easily.
Talking to a child or someone in a casual setting.你不多穿点儿衣服，就容易着凉。
He went out without an umbrella and got caught in the rain, then caught a cold.
Describing a past event leading to illness.他出门没带伞，淋了雨就着凉了。
Be careful not to catch a cold when the weather changes.
Giving advice about health during seasonal changes.天气变化的时候，要注意别着凉。
After exercising, he sat on the ground and probably caught a cold.
Speculating on the reason for someone's illness.他运动完就坐在地上，可能是着凉了。
The doctor said I caught a cold because I didn't get enough rest.
Relaying medical advice or diagnosis.医生说我着凉是因为休息不够。
Collocations courantes
Souvent confondu avec
'着凉' emphasizes the cause (getting cold), while '感冒' refers to the illness itself. One might 着凉 and not 感冒, but 感冒 is often caused by 着凉. 着凉 can also refer to a feeling of being cold or chilled without necessarily developing a full-blown cold.
These two are very similar and often interchangeable in meaning, both referring to catching a chill or getting cold. '着凉' is perhaps slightly more common in everyday spoken language, and '受凉' can sometimes have a nuance of experiencing the cold, rather than directly catching a cold that leads to illness.
'风寒' specifically refers to a cold caused by wind and cold, often in a more traditional Chinese medicine context. '着凉' is a more general term for catching a cold due to any exposure to cold.
Modèles grammaticaux
Comment l'utiliser
Notes d'usage
'着凉' (zháo liáng) is a very common and natural way to express 'to catch a cold' in Mandarin Chinese. It literally means 'to be touched by cold' or 'to catch cold.' It's typically used when someone experiences symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, or a general feeling of being unwell due to exposure to cold. For example, you might say '我着凉了' (Wǒ zháo liáng le) which means 'I caught a cold.' You can also use it to suggest prevention, such as '多穿点衣服，别着凉了' (Duō chuān diǎn yīfu, bié zháo liáng le), meaning 'Wear more clothes, don't catch a cold.' While it generally refers to a common cold, in some contexts, it can broadly indicate feeling unwell due to cold exposure, even if it's not a full-blown cold. It's a versatile and frequently used term in everyday conversation about health.
Erreurs courantes
A common mistake is confusing 着凉 (zháo liáng) with 受凉 (shòu liáng). While both mean 'to catch a cold' or 'to be exposed to cold', 着凉 often implies that one has actually developed symptoms of a cold, whereas 受凉 can simply mean being exposed to cold without necessarily getting sick yet. Another point of confusion can be the pronunciation of 着. In 着凉, it is pronounced zháo, not zhuó or zhe. Also, ensure to use it as a verb phrase; for example, 我着凉了 (Wǒ zháo liáng le) - I caught a cold.
Astuces
Usage Tip
'着凉' (zháo liáng) literally means 'to catch a chill' or 'to catch a cold'. It is a common verb phrase used to describe the act of getting sick due to exposure to cold, often leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, or a sore throat. It's frequently used in daily conversations to express concern or explain why someone is feeling unwell. Remember that '着' (zháo) here is pronounced in the second tone, indicating the successful result of the action.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake for learners is to confuse '着凉' (zháo liáng) with other ways of getting sick. While '感冒' (gǎnmào) also means 'to catch a cold', '着凉' specifically implies that the cold was caught due to exposure to cold weather or a draft. Another potential error is mispronouncing '着' as 'zhe' (the neutral tone particle). In '着凉', it must be pronounced as 'zháo' (second tone). Be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate term.
Advanced Application
Beyond its basic meaning, '着凉' can be used in more nuanced ways. For example, you might hear '别着凉了' (bié zháo liáng le) as a caring admonition, meaning 'Don't catch a cold!' or 'Be careful not to catch a chill.' It can also be used metaphorically in some contexts, though this is less common, to imply being negatively affected by a sudden change. Understanding this phrase is key to expressing care and understanding common ailments in Chinese.
Origine du mot
The character '着' (zháo) means 'to come into contact with; to be affected by'. The character '凉' (liáng) means 'cool; cold'. Together, '着凉' literally means 'to be affected by cold' or 'to come into contact with cold', which colloquially translates to 'to catch a cold'. The term has been in use for several centuries, with its origins rooted in traditional Chinese medicine's understanding of how exposure to cold can lead to illness. Early texts often describe the sensation of '着凉' as an external pathogenic factor invading the body. Over time, its meaning has remained consistent, referring to the common experience of falling ill due to exposure to cold temperatures or drafts. The concept is deeply embedded in Chinese culture, often prompting advice to dress warmly or avoid cold drinks when feeling unwell.
Contexte culturel
In Chinese culture, 'to catch a cold' (着凉 - zháo liáng) often carries more weight than just a common illness. It's frequently associated with exposure to cold, dampness, or sudden temperature changes, and there's a strong emphasis on prevention through practices like wearing adequate clothing, avoiding cold foods/drinks, and staying warm. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views 'cold' as an external pathogenic factor that can disrupt the body's balance (yin and yang), leading to various symptoms. There's also a common belief that certain foods can be 'cold' or 'hot' in nature, and consuming too many 'cold' foods can contribute to catching a cold. Families often express concern and provide remedies like ginger tea or warm soup when someone 'catches a cold,' reflecting the collective care and attention given to health within the culture. The concept extends beyond just respiratory illness, sometimes encompassing general malaise or discomfort attributed to cold exposure.
Astuce mémo
Imagine you are 'wearing' (着) 'cold' (凉) air, hence catching a cold. The character 着 can also mean to wear or to come into contact with.
Questions fréquentes
4 questions'着凉' (zháo liáng) in Chinese means 'to catch a cold' or 'to catch a chill.' It describes the act of experiencing cold or being exposed to conditions that lead to a common cold or a feeling of chilliness in the body. This often happens when one is not adequately dressed for the weather, exposed to cold drafts, or experiences a sudden drop in temperature. It's a very common phrase used to talk about the onset of minor illnesses related to cold exposure.
'着凉' (zháo liáng) is frequently used to explain why someone might be feeling unwell. For example, you might hear sentences like '我昨天晚上没盖好被子，结果着凉了' (Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshang méi gài hǎo bèizi, jiéguǒ zháo liáng le), which translates to 'I didn't cover myself well last night, and as a result, I caught a cold.' Another common usage could be advising someone, '天气冷，多穿点衣服，别着凉了' (Tiānqì lěng, duō chuān diǎn yīfu, bié zháo liáng le), meaning 'It's cold, wear more clothes, don't catch a cold.'
While '着凉' (zháo liáng) is the most direct and common way to say 'to catch a cold' due to exposure to cold, there are some related phrases. '感冒' (gǎnmào) specifically means 'to have a cold' or 'the common cold' itself, often used when symptoms are already present. So, you might '着凉' (catch a chill) and then '感冒' (have a cold). Another less direct but related concept could be '受寒' (shòu hán), which means 'to suffer from cold' or 'to be exposed to cold,' often implying a more general state of being cold rather than necessarily catching a cold.
In Chinese culture, there's a strong emphasis on preventing '着凉' (zháo liáng) due to traditional beliefs about health and the balance of 'qi' (life force). People often advise wearing extra layers, avoiding cold drinks, and staying warm, especially for children and the elderly. The idea of '上火' (shàng huǒ - literally 'to get fire,' referring to an excess of internal heat) and '着凉' (getting cold) are often seen as opposing forces that can lead to illness. Therefore, preventing a chill is a significant aspect of everyday health practices.
Teste-toi
她昨天晚上没有盖好被子，所以今天___了。
冬天出门一定要多穿衣服，不然很容易___。
小孩子抵抗力比较弱，稍微不注意就容易___。
Score : /3
Usage Tip
'着凉' (zháo liáng) literally means 'to catch a chill' or 'to catch a cold'. It is a common verb phrase used to describe the act of getting sick due to exposure to cold, often leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, or a sore throat. It's frequently used in daily conversations to express concern or explain why someone is feeling unwell. Remember that '着' (zháo) here is pronounced in the second tone, indicating the successful result of the action.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake for learners is to confuse '着凉' (zháo liáng) with other ways of getting sick. While '感冒' (gǎnmào) also means 'to catch a cold', '着凉' specifically implies that the cold was caught due to exposure to cold weather or a draft. Another potential error is mispronouncing '着' as 'zhe' (the neutral tone particle). In '着凉', it must be pronounced as 'zháo' (second tone). Be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate term.
Advanced Application
Beyond its basic meaning, '着凉' can be used in more nuanced ways. For example, you might hear '别着凉了' (bié zháo liáng le) as a caring admonition, meaning 'Don't catch a cold!' or 'Be careful not to catch a chill.' It can also be used metaphorically in some contexts, though this is less common, to imply being negatively affected by a sudden change. Understanding this phrase is key to expressing care and understanding common ailments in Chinese.
Exemples
5 sur 5If you don't wear more clothes, you'll catch a cold easily.
你不多穿点儿衣服，就容易着凉。
He went out without an umbrella and got caught in the rain, then caught a cold.
他出门没带伞，淋了雨就着凉了。
Be careful not to catch a cold when the weather changes.
天气变化的时候，要注意别着凉。
After exercising, he sat on the ground and probably caught a cold.
他运动完就坐在地上，可能是着凉了。
The doctor said I caught a cold because I didn't get enough rest.
医生说我着凉是因为休息不够。
Contenu associé
Ce mot dans d'autres langues
Plus de mots sur health
一粒
A2One pill; a grain (for small, round objects like pills).
一片
A2One tablet; a slice (for flat objects like pills).
不正常
A2abnormal
以上
A2Above, over (a number)
酸痛
A2Sore; aching (especially muscles).
倒是
A2On the contrary; actually.
针灸
A2Acupuncture; traditional Chinese therapy.
扎针
A2to give an injection
急性
B1acute (illness)
急性病
B1Acute disease.
