昏迷 in 30 Seconds
- A medical term for a coma or deep unconsciousness.
- Commonly used with verbs like '陷入' (fall into) or '处于' (be in).
- Much more serious and longer-lasting than a simple faint (晕倒).
- Essential for emergency, medical, and dramatic storytelling contexts.
The Chinese term 昏迷 (hūnmí) is a critical medical and descriptive word used to describe a state of deep unconsciousness where a person is unresponsive to external stimuli. In a literal sense, it combines '昏' (hūn), meaning dark, dim, or muddled, with '迷' (mí), meaning lost, confused, or enchanted. Together, they create a powerful image of being lost in a dark, impenetrable mental fog. While primarily used in medical contexts—such as describing a patient after an accident or during a severe illness—it can also be used figuratively in literature to describe someone being 'intoxicated' or 'lost' in a certain emotion, though this is much less common than its medical application.
- Medical Context
- Used by doctors and nurses to describe a coma. It is a state where the brain's activity is at a minimum, and the person cannot be 'woken up' like they would from a normal sleep.
- Emergency Situations
- Commonly heard in news reports or emergency room scenes in movies: '伤者目前仍处于昏迷状态' (The injured person is still in a coma).
他在事故后陷入了深度昏迷。(He fell into a deep coma after the accident.)
Understanding the gravity of this word is essential for A2 learners who might need to describe an emergency. In Chinese culture, health is a frequent topic of conversation, and being able to distinguish between a simple faint (晕倒) and a serious coma (昏迷) is a vital linguistic skill. The word carries a heavy, serious tone and should not be used lightly in casual conversation unless referring to a real medical situation.
Using 昏迷 correctly requires understanding its role as a verb that describes a state. Most often, it is paired with auxiliary verbs like '处于' (to be in) or '陷入' (to fall into). It is not typically used with a direct object because it describes the subject's own physiological state.
- Structure: Subject + 昏迷 + 了
- This is the simplest way to say someone has become unconscious. '病人昏迷了' (The patient has lost consciousness).
- Structure: 陷入 (xiànrù) + 昏迷
- This means 'to fall into a coma'. It suggests a transition from consciousness to unconsciousness, often used in dramatic or medical reporting.
医生说他可能会昏迷好几天。(The doctor said he might be in a coma for several days.)
When speaking, you will notice that '昏迷' is often followed by '不醒' (bù xǐng), which means 'not waking up'. The phrase '昏迷不醒' is a very common four-character expression used to describe someone who is totally out and shows no signs of regaining consciousness. For a learner, mastering this phrase will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise in serious contexts.
You are most likely to encounter 昏迷 in three specific environments: hospitals, news broadcasts, and crime/medical dramas. In a hospital, a nurse might tell a family member, '他还在昏迷中' (He is still in a coma). In the news, you might hear reports about victims of natural disasters or accidents.
- News Reports
- '由于失血过多，伤者在送往医院的途中陷入昏迷。' (Due to excessive blood loss, the injured person fell into a coma on the way to the hospital.)
- TV Dramas
- Characters often fall into a '昏迷' after a dramatic plot twist or an attack, leading to a suspenseful hospital scene.
手术后，他一直处于昏迷状态。(After the surgery, he has been in a state of coma.)
Interestingly, in some high-level literature, '昏迷' can be used to describe a state of mind where one is so obsessed or confused that they 'lose themselves'. For example, '昏迷于名利' (lost in fame and fortune). However, for daily communication, stick to the physical, medical meaning. If you are watching a Chinese medical drama like '心术' (Angel Heart), you will hear this word in almost every episode.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is confusing 昏迷 with '晕倒' (yūndǎo). While both involve losing consciousness, '晕倒' is the action of fainting—a sudden, usually brief event. '昏迷' refers to the sustained state of being unconscious.
- Mistake: Using '昏迷' for a quick faint
- Incorrect: '他看到血就昏迷了。' (He saw blood and fell into a coma.) Correct: '他看到血就晕倒了。' (He saw blood and fainted.)
- Mistake: Treating it as a transitive verb
- You cannot '昏迷' someone else. You would use '使...昏迷' (make someone unconscious). Incorrect: '那个人昏迷了他。' Correct: '那个人把他打昏了。'
Another common mistake is using '昏迷' interchangeably with '睡觉'. Even if someone is sleeping very deeply, they are not '昏迷'. Using '昏迷' to describe a heavy sleeper would sound like a life-threatening emergency to a Chinese speaker! Always reserve '昏迷' for medical contexts involving a total lack of responsiveness.
To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words related to unconsciousness. Depending on the severity and the context, you might choose a different term than 昏迷.
- 晕倒 (yūndǎo)
- To faint. This is a sudden loss of consciousness that usually doesn't last long.
- 不省人事 (bù xǐng rén shì)
- An idiom meaning to be unconscious or out of it. It's more descriptive and often used in storytelling.
- 昏厥 (hūnjué)
- A more formal medical term for syncope or fainting. It sounds more technical than '晕倒'.
- 失去知觉 (shīqù zhījué)
- Literally 'to lose consciousness/sensation'. This is a very common and clear way to describe the event.
Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to sound clinical (昏迷), descriptive (不省人事), or talk about a quick event (晕倒). As an A2 learner, focus on '晕倒' for daily mishaps and '昏迷' for serious hospital-related situations.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The character '昏' is also part of '婚礼' (wedding), because in ancient China, weddings were traditionally held at dusk!
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'mí' as a flat tone instead of rising.
- Confusing 'hūn' with 'hǔn' (3rd tone).
Difficulty Rating
The characters are common but the context is specific.
'昏' and '迷' have several strokes and are easy to misspell.
The pronunciation is straightforward.
Important to distinguish from '晕倒' in fast speech.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Use of '了' for change of state.
他昏迷了。 (He has become unconscious.)
Duration of state.
他昏迷了三天。 (He was in a coma for three days.)
Resultative complements.
他被打昏了。 (He was beaten unconscious.)
Prepositional phrases with '处于'.
他处于昏迷中。 (He is in a coma.)
Causative verbs.
药物让他昏迷。 (The drug made him unconscious.)
Examples by Level
他昏迷了。
He is unconscious.
Subject + Verb + Particle 'le' for change of state.
他不说话，他昏迷了。
He doesn't speak; he is in a coma.
Simple contrast between not speaking and being unconscious.
医生，他昏迷了吗？
Doctor, is he in a coma?
Question form using 'ma'.
他昏迷了一天。
He was unconscious for a day.
Time duration after the verb.
她没有死，她只是昏迷。
She is not dead; she is just in a coma.
Using 'zhǐshì' (just/only) to clarify the situation.
爷爷昏迷了。
Grandpa is in a coma.
Simple subject-verb sentence.
因为太热，他昏迷了。
Because it was too hot, he became unconscious.
Using 'yīnwèi' to show cause.
他在昏迷中。
He is in a coma.
Using 'zài...zhōng' to show a continuous state.
他在车祸后昏迷了。
He fell into a coma after the car accident.
Time phrase 'after the car accident' before the verb.
病人已经昏迷了三个小时。
The patient has been unconscious for three hours.
Use of 'yǐjīng' (already) and duration.
他突然昏迷，大家都很担心。
He suddenly became unconscious, and everyone is worried.
'Tūrán' (suddenly) modifying the verb.
医生说他现在还在昏迷。
The doctor said he is still in a coma now.
'Háizài' (still) indicating the state continues.
由于生病，他陷入了昏迷。
Due to illness, he fell into a coma.
'Xiànrù' (fall into) is a common verb used with 'hūnmí'.
这个孩子昏迷了很久。
This child has been in a coma for a long time.
'Hěnjiǔ' (a long time) as a duration.
他昏迷的时候，我不在这里。
When he was unconscious, I wasn't here.
'De shíhou' (when/during) structure.
她昏迷不醒，医生在救她。
She is unconscious and won't wake up; the doctor is saving her.
'Hūnmí bù xǐng' is a set phrase.
他因为头部受伤而陷入深度昏迷。
He fell into a deep coma because of a head injury.
'Ér' used to connect the cause and the result.
在昏迷期间，他没有任何反应。
During the coma, he didn't have any reaction.
'Qījiān' (period/duration) used for a formal time frame.
如果一个人昏迷太久，可能会有危险。
If a person is in a coma for too long, there might be danger.
'Rúguǒ... kěnéng' (If... might) conditional structure.
他从昏迷中苏醒过来了。
He woke up from the coma.
'Cóng... zhōng sūxǐng' (Wake up from within...).
药物的作用让他处于昏迷状态。
The effect of the medicine kept him in a state of coma.
'Chǔyú... zhuàngtài' (To be in a state of...).
警察想问他问题，但他还在昏迷。
The police want to ask him questions, but he is still unconscious.
Contrast using 'dànshì' (but).
这种严重的过敏会导致昏迷。
This severe allergy can lead to a coma.
'Dǎozhì' (lead to/cause) used for negative results.
他在昏迷中度过了整整一个星期。
He spent a whole week in a coma.
'Dùguò' (to spend/pass time) used with a state.
医生正在观察他是否会从昏迷中醒来。
The doctor is observing whether he will wake up from the coma.
'Shìfǒu' (whether or not) used in an indirect question.
尽管他处于昏迷状态，但他的呼吸很平稳。
Although he is in a coma, his breathing is very steady.
'Jǐnguǎn... dàn' (Although... yet) concession structure.
长期的昏迷让他的家人感到非常绝望。
The long-term coma made his family feel very desperate.
Noun phrase 'chángqī de hūnmí' as the subject.
这种罕见的疾病会导致反复的昏迷。
This rare disease causes recurrent comas.
'Fǎnfù de' (repeated/recurrent) modifying the noun.
他在昏迷中似乎听到了一些声音。
He seemed to hear some sounds while in the coma.
'Sìhū' (seemingly) used to describe a possibility.
手术后的昏迷是由于麻醉药的作用。
The post-operative coma was due to the effects of anesthesia.
'Shì yóuyú' (is due to) structure.
他陷入昏迷已经超过了四十八小时。
He has been in a coma for over forty-eight hours.
'Chāoguò' (exceed/over) used with time.
深度昏迷的病人需要二十四小时的护理。
Patients in a deep coma require twenty-four-hour care.
'De' used to create a complex noun phrase.
这种药物引发的昏迷很难通过常规手段唤醒。
The coma induced by this drug is difficult to wake from through conventional means.
Complex subject with a relative clause.
在文学作品中，昏迷常被用作逃避现实的隐喻。
In literary works, a coma is often used as a metaphor for escaping reality.
'Bèi yòng zuò' (is used as) passive structure.
他因酒精中毒而引发了严重的酒精性昏迷。
He suffered a severe alcoholic coma due to alcohol poisoning.
'Yǐnfā' (trigger/initiate) used for medical consequences.
虽然生理上处于昏迷，但他的大脑皮层仍有活动。
Although physiologically in a coma, there is still activity in his cerebral cortex.
'Suīrán... dàn' with 'shēnglǐ shàng' (physiologically).
长达数月的昏迷后，他奇迹般地苏醒了。
After a coma lasting several months, he miraculously regained consciousness.
'Cháng dá' (lasting as long as) and 'qíjì bān de' (miraculously).
由于脑部供氧不足，伤员很快就进入了昏迷状态。
Due to insufficient oxygen to the brain, the injured person quickly entered a state of coma.
'Gōngyǎng bùzú' (insufficient oxygen supply) as a formal cause.
昏迷不醒的病人往往面临着多器官衰竭的风险。
Unconscious patients often face the risk of multiple organ failure.
'Wǎngwǎng' (often/frequently) used for general tendencies.
这种心理上的昏迷，比身体上的更难治愈。
This psychological coma is harder to cure than the physical one.
Comparative structure 'bǐ' with abstract nouns.
医学界对昏迷本质的探讨从未停止过。
The medical community's exploration of the essence of comas has never ceased.
'Duì... de tǎntǎo' (exploration of/discussion about).
他陷入了一种由于极度悲伤导致的自我保护性昏迷。
He fell into a self-protective coma caused by extreme grief.
Complex modifier 'yóuyú... dǎozhì de' (caused by...).
在该案例中，昏迷的深度与脑干受损程度成正比。
In this case, the depth of the coma is directly proportional to the degree of brainstem damage.
'Chéng zhèngbǐ' (is directly proportional to).
这种由社会异化产生的集体性昏迷，值得我们深思。
This collective coma resulting from social alienation is worth our deep reflection.
'Zhídé... shēnsī' (worth deep reflection).
在长时间的昏迷中，个体的自我意识究竟何去何从？
In a prolonged coma, where exactly does an individual's self-awareness go?
Rhetorical question 'héqù-hécóng' (where to go/what path to take).
医生利用低温诱导昏迷，以减轻患者的脑部水肿。
Doctors used hypothermia-induced coma to reduce the patient's cerebral edema.
'Yǐ' (in order to) connecting action and purpose.
昏迷持续的时间越长，患者神经系统恢复的可能性就越小。
The longer the coma lasts, the less likely it is for the patient's nervous system to recover.
'Yuè... yuè...' (the more... the more...) structure.
他在那场浩劫中幸存下来，却陷入了长达数载的昏迷。
He survived that catastrophe but fell into a coma that lasted for several years.
'Què' (but/yet) showing an unexpected negative outcome.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) used to measure consciousness.
他的昏迷指数非常低。
— A coma that resembles death.
这是一种罕见的假死昏迷。
— Coma occurring after a surgical procedure.
术后昏迷是严重的并发症。
— Coma caused by extremely high or low blood sugar.
糖尿病昏迷需要紧急治疗。
— Coma originating from brain issues.
这是典型的脑源性昏迷。
— The depth or level of the coma.
医生正在评估他的昏迷深度。
— A persistent or continuous coma.
他陷入了持续性昏迷。
— Coma caused by poisoning.
这是一起中毒性昏迷事件。
— Coma caused by physical trauma.
外伤性昏迷在车祸中很常见。
— Nursing care specifically for comatose patients.
昏迷护理需要非常细心。
Often Confused With
A quick faint vs. a long coma.
Medical sleep induced by drugs vs. a pathological coma.
Normal sleep vs. unresponsive unconsciousness.
Idioms & Expressions
— Totally unconscious and unable to be awakened.
他伤势严重，至今昏迷不醒。
Formal/Common— To be in a state of total unconsciousness; literally 'not knowing human affairs'.
他喝得不省人事。
Common— A variation of '不省人事', used in classical or formal contexts.
他病重得人事不省。
Formal— To be dizzy or muddled (not a medical coma).
感冒让我昏头昏脑的。
Informal— To be semi-conscious or mentally confused.
他发高烧，神志不清。
Medical/Formal— As if waking from a dream (used for sudden realization, not a real coma).
听了他的话，我如梦初醒。
Literary— Dizzy or dark (often used for working too hard or a chaotic situation).
他忙得昏天黑地。
Informal— Dazed, semi-conscious, or groggy.
我刚睡醒，还迷迷糊糊的。
Informal— To faint or fall into a death-like coma.
她听到噩耗，当场昏死过去。
Dramatic— Drunk and obsessed (figurative 'coma' of emotion).
他听音乐听得如醉如痴。
LiteraryEasily Confused
Both involve losing consciousness.
'晕倒' is a verb for the act of fainting (usually brief). '昏迷' is a state of being unconscious (usually long).
她晕倒了，但很快就醒了。
Both sound formal.
'昏厥' is a more clinical term for a sudden faint. '昏迷' is for a sustained coma.
由于过度劳累，他发生了昏厥。
Both are medical emergencies.
'休克' (shock) is a circulatory failure. You can be conscious during shock, but you are never conscious during '昏迷'.
他失血过多，进入了休克。
Both involve being 'out'.
'麻醉' is intentional and controlled by a doctor. '昏迷' is unintentional and pathological.
手术需要全身麻醉。
Both look like deep sleep.
'沉睡' is just a very deep, healthy sleep. You can wake someone from '沉睡'.
孩子在摇篮里沉睡。
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 昏迷 + 了。
他昏迷了。
Subject + 正在 + 昏迷 + 中。
他正在昏迷中。
Subject + 因为 + Reason + 陷入了 + 昏迷。
他因为受伤陷入了昏迷。
Subject + 已经 + 昏迷 + 了 + Time.
他已经昏迷了两天。
Subject + 处于 + (Degree) + 昏迷状态。
他处于深度昏迷状态。
...导致的 + 昏迷 + 很难...
药物导致的昏迷很难唤醒。
在...的昏迷中，...
在漫长的昏迷中，他失去了记忆。
...与...昏迷成正比。
伤势与昏迷深度成正比。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Common in medical, news, and dramatic contexts. Rare in daily casual chat.
-
Using '昏迷' for sleeping.
→
他在睡觉。
'昏迷' is a medical emergency, not a rest.
-
Using '昏迷' for a 5-second faint.
→
她晕倒了。
'昏迷' implies a longer duration of unconsciousness.
-
Writing '昏' with an 'eye' radical.
→
昏 (with 日)
'昏' refers to the setting sun, so it uses the 'sun' radical.
-
Saying '我昏迷他'.
→
我把他打昏了。
'昏迷' is an intransitive state. You must use '打昏' or '使...昏迷' to affect someone else.
-
Confusing '昏迷' with '休克'.
→
他进入了休克状态。
Shock (休克) is about blood flow; Coma (昏迷) is about consciousness.
Tips
Learn the pair
Always learn '昏迷' (coma) and '苏醒' (wake up) together as they are natural opposites in a story.
Use with '陷入'
The most natural way to say someone 'fell into' a coma is '陷入昏迷'.
Context matters
In China, calling someone '昏迷' is a serious medical claim. Don't use it for someone who is just sleeping deeply.
Tone check
Make sure the second syllable 'mí' rises clearly to distinguish it from 'mǐ' (rice).
Stroke order
Pay attention to the 'sun' (日) in '昏'. It's a common mistake to write it as 'eye' (目).
Severity
Use '深度' (deep) or '轻微' (slight) to be more precise about the condition.
News keyword
When you hear '昏迷' in the news, it's almost always followed by an update on the person's condition.
Radical clues
The 'road' radical in '迷' tells you it's about being lost, which helps you remember the meaning.
Set phrases
Memorize '昏迷不醒' as a single unit. It's very common.
GCS Scale
If you are a medical professional, '昏迷指数' is the term for the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
'Hūn' (昏) is when the sun goes down and everything gets dark. 'Mí' (迷) is when you are lost on the road. When you are in a 'Hūn-mí', your mind is in the dark and you are lost.
Visual Association
Imagine a person lying in a dark room (hūn) with a maze (mí) inside their head that they can't find the exit from.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use '陷入昏迷' and '苏醒' in a short story about a hero who gets injured.
Word Origin
'昏' (hūn) originally depicted the sun (日) setting below the horizon (氏), representing darkness. '迷' (mí) consists of the 'road' radical (辶) and 'rice' (米), originally meaning to be lost or confused on a path.
Original meaning: To be lost in darkness or mental confusion.
Sino-TibetanCultural Context
Use this word with care; it implies a very serious, life-threatening condition. Avoid using it jokingly.
In English, 'coma' is strictly medical. In Chinese, '昏迷' is also medical but the characters carry a more poetic sense of 'darkness' and 'lostness'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Hospital
- 医生，他什么时候能醒？
- 他陷入昏迷多久了？
- 这是深度昏迷吗？
- 他在昏迷中有感觉吗？
Accident Scene
- 有人昏迷了！
- 他还有呼吸，但是昏迷了。
- 不要移动昏迷的人。
- 他突然陷入了昏迷。
News Report
- 伤者处于昏迷状态。
- 事故导致多人昏迷。
- 目前仍未从昏迷中苏醒。
- 酒精诱发的昏迷。
Literature/Drama
- 他陷入了长久的昏迷。
- 在昏迷的梦境中...
- 她昏迷不醒的样子让人心疼。
- 从深重的昏迷中睁开眼。
Medical School
- 评估昏迷指数。
- 昏迷的常见原因。
- 如何护理昏迷病人。
- 脑部受损与昏迷。
Conversation Starters
"你听说那个出车祸的人了吗？他现在还在昏迷中。"
"如果一个人昏迷了，我们应该先做什么？"
"电影里的主角经常昏迷很久才醒来，你觉得现实吗？"
"你知道‘昏迷不醒’这个词怎么用吗？"
"你见过有人突然昏迷吗？当时发生了什么？"
Journal Prompts
写一个关于有人从长达十年的昏迷中醒来的故事。
描述一次你在医院看到有人处于昏迷状态的经历。
讨论医学上对‘昏迷’和‘死亡’的界限。
如果你陷入昏迷，你最希望在醒来时看到谁？
写一段关于社会‘集体性昏迷’的随笔。
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually yes, but it can be used for animals in a medical context. It is not used for machines or abstract concepts commonly.
'昏迷' is the standard medical term. '不省人事' is a more descriptive, idiomatic way to say someone is unconscious, often used in literature or when someone is very drunk.
No, that would sound very strange. Use '累死了' or '困极了' instead.
You use the word '苏醒' (sūxǐng). For example: '他苏醒过来了。'
In Chinese, it functions as a verb ('he is comatose') or a noun ('the coma').
It means a 'deep coma', the most serious level where there is almost no brain response.
It's better to use '晕倒' (yūndǎo) for a short faint. '昏迷' implies something more lasting.
The characters existed, but the specific medical meaning of 'coma' as used today is a modern development.
It is written as hūnmí (1st tone, 2nd tone).
Thankfully no, but it is very common in news and hospital-themed media.
Test Yourself 21 questions
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
/ 21 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
'昏迷' (hūnmí) is the standard Chinese term for a coma. For example, '他昏迷不醒' means he is in a coma and won't wake up. Always distinguish it from '晕倒' (fainting), which is temporary.
- A medical term for a coma or deep unconsciousness.
- Commonly used with verbs like '陷入' (fall into) or '处于' (be in).
- Much more serious and longer-lasting than a simple faint (晕倒).
- Essential for emergency, medical, and dramatic storytelling contexts.
Learn the pair
Always learn '昏迷' (coma) and '苏醒' (wake up) together as they are natural opposites in a story.
Use with '陷入'
The most natural way to say someone 'fell into' a coma is '陷入昏迷'.
Context matters
In China, calling someone '昏迷' is a serious medical claim. Don't use it for someone who is just sleeping deeply.
Tone check
Make sure the second syllable 'mí' rises clearly to distinguish it from 'mǐ' (rice).
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More health words
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.
