In 15 Seconds
- Means the fever has broken or gone down.
- Commonly used with '了' to indicate the fever is gone.
- Used for both the physical process and fever-reducing medicine.
- Essential for medical contexts and checking on friends' health.
Meaning
This phrase literally means to 'retreat' a fever. It describes the moment a high body temperature starts dropping back to normal.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking on a sick child
孩子终于退烧了，太好了。
The child's fever finally broke, that's great.
At a local pharmacy
请问这里有退烧药吗？
Excuse me, do you have any fever reducers here?
Texting a friend about your health
我还没退烧，今天不能去聚会了。
My fever hasn't gone down yet, so I can't go to the party today.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, managing a fever often involves a mix of Western medicine and traditional beliefs like 'sweating it out.' The moment of '退烧' is often celebrated with a bowl of plain congee to soothe the stomach after the 'heat' has left the body.
The 'Le' Factor
Always remember to add '了' (le) if you are saying the fever is already gone. Without it, you're just talking about the concept of reducing fever.
Not for 'Cooling Down'
Don't use this for cooling down after exercise or a hot day. Use '凉快' (liáng kuai) for that. '退烧' is strictly medical!
In 15 Seconds
- Means the fever has broken or gone down.
- Commonly used with '了' to indicate the fever is gone.
- Used for both the physical process and fever-reducing medicine.
- Essential for medical contexts and checking on friends' health.
What It Means
退烧 is your go-to phrase when a fever finally breaks. It combines 退 (to retreat or withdraw) and 烧 (fever). Think of it like a tide going out. It is not just about the medicine. It is about the relief of feeling cool again.
How To Use It
You can use it as a verb or a noun. Most often, you will see it with 了 to show a change. For example, 他退烧了 means his fever is gone. You can also use it to describe medicine. A 'fever reducer' is called 退烧药. It is a very versatile and practical term.
When To Use It
Use it when checking on a sick friend. Use it at the doctor's office or pharmacy. It is perfect for texting a boss to say you are recovering. If your forehead feels cool after a long night, shout it out! It is a word of victory over illness.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for emotional 'heat' or being 'fired up.' If you are angry, do not say you need to 退烧. That sounds like you are literally sick. Also, do not use it for spicy food. For those, use 消火 or 解辣 instead. Keep this one strictly for the thermometer.
Cultural Background
In China, people take fevers very seriously. You will often hear 'drink more hot water' alongside this phrase. There is a big focus on 'sweating it out' to reach the 退烧 stage. Parents might stay up all night checking a child's forehead. Achieving 退烧 is a major family milestone during flu season.
Common Variations
You will often hear 发烧 (to have a fever) as the opposite. If the fever comes and goes, you might say 反复发烧. If you are looking for medicine, always ask for 退烧药. Sometimes people say 烧退了 which means the same thing. It just flips the focus to the fever itself receding.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all situations. Just remember that '退' acts as the verb, so it usually requires '了' to indicate the result of the fever going away.
The 'Le' Factor
Always remember to add '了' (le) if you are saying the fever is already gone. Without it, you're just talking about the concept of reducing fever.
Not for 'Cooling Down'
Don't use this for cooling down after exercise or a hot day. Use '凉快' (liáng kuai) for that. '退烧' is strictly medical!
The Magic of Hot Water
If you tell a Chinese friend you haven't '退烧' yet, prepare to be told to drink '多喝热水' (more hot water). It's the universal Chinese remedy!
Examples
6孩子终于退烧了，太好了。
The child's fever finally broke, that's great.
Using '终于' (finally) emphasizes the relief of the fever breaking.
请问这里有退烧药吗？
Excuse me, do you have any fever reducers here?
Adding '药' (medicine) turns the phrase into a noun for medication.
我还没退烧，今天不能去聚会了。
My fever hasn't gone down yet, so I can't go to the party today.
Using '还没' (not yet) to show the illness is continuing.
吃了这个药，半小时就会退烧。
Take this medicine, and the fever will go down in half an hour.
The doctor uses it to describe the expected effect of treatment.
这烧怎么还不退啊？我都喝了三升水了！
Why won't this fever go away? I've already drunk three liters of water!
A humorous take on the 'drink hot water' advice common in China.
退烧了，明天应该可以回公司上班。
Fever is gone, I should be able to return to the office tomorrow.
A concise update suitable for a work-casual relationship.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence regarding medicine.
如果你觉得头疼发烧，可以吃一点___。
'退烧药' is the specific term for fever-reducing medication.
Select the best particle to show the fever has already disappeared.
喝了热水以后，他终于退烧___。
'了' indicates a change of state, meaning the fever is now gone.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '退烧'
Texting friends: '退烧了吗?'
退烧了吗？
Standard daily use in most situations.
他退烧了。
Medical reports or professional consultations.
患者已退烧。
Where to use '退烧'
Pharmacy
Buying '退烧药'
Home
Checking a kid's forehead
Office
Explaining an absence
Hospital
Talking to a nurse
Practice Bank
2 exercises如果你觉得头疼发烧，可以吃一点___。
'退烧药' is the specific term for fever-reducing medication.
喝了热水以后，他终于退烧___。
'了' indicates a change of state, meaning the fever is now gone.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsIt literally means 'retreat fever.' 退 means to recede or go back, and 烧 means fever or heat.
Yes, you can say 他退烧了 (His fever is gone). It is the most common way to describe someone recovering.
Yes, it is neutral. Doctors use it, but they might also use 退热 (tuì rè) in very formal medical documents.
You should ask for 退烧药 (tuì shāo yào). Most pharmacies will understand this immediately.
No, that would sound very strange. For calming down, use 冷静 (lěng jìng) or 消气 (xiāo qì).
The opposite is 发烧 (fā shāo), which means to have or develop a fever.
Yes! 我的烧退了 (My fever has receded) is a very natural alternative to 我退烧了.
Absolutely. It's very common in texts like 退烧了吗？ (Has the fever gone down?).
Not necessarily. It just means the fever specifically is gone. They might still have a cough or cold.
Not really. It's such a basic physical state that people stick to the standard term.
退烧 emphasizes the process of the fever leaving, whereas 没发烧 just means you don't have one currently.
Related Phrases
发烧
To have a fever
退烧药
Fever-reducing medicine
感冒
To have a cold
量体温
To take someone's temperature
消炎
To reduce inflammation
