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A2 noun #8,000 most common 10 min read

诊费

Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 诊费 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 诊费 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 诊费 (zhěnfèi) means 'doctor's money' or 'consultation fee.' It is the money you pay to talk to a doctor and get a check-up. You will see this word at the hospital window. Usually, you ask '多少钱？' (How much money?) about the 诊费. Remember: 诊 is for doctor, and 费 is for fee. It is very simple. If you go to a hospital in China, you pay this first. You can say '我要交诊费' (I want to pay the consultation fee). Don't worry about big words yet; just remember it is the money for the doctor's help.

At the A2 level, you should understand that 诊费 (zhěnfèi) is a noun used specifically in medical situations. It is different from 药费 (money for medicine). You can use it in simple sentences like '诊费很贵' (The fee is expensive) or '我不收诊费' (I don't charge a consultation fee). You will hear this word when you register at a clinic. You should know how to ask if the fee is included in insurance: '保险报销诊费吗？' (Does insurance reimburse the consultation fee?). This word helps you manage your money when you are sick in a Chinese-speaking country. It consists of two characters: 诊 (to diagnose) and 费 (fee).

At the B1 level, you can use 诊费 (zhěnfèi) in more complex contexts, such as discussing healthcare costs or comparing different hospitals. You should be able to distinguish between 诊费 and 挂号费 (registration fee). While they are often paid together, 诊费 specifically refers to the professional service. You can use verbs like 支付 (to pay), 调整 (to adjust), or 免除 (to waive) with this noun. For example, '政府调整了专家诊费的标准' (The government adjusted the standards for specialist consultation fees). You should also be aware of how this fee fits into the overall 医药费 (medical expenses).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 诊费 (zhěnfèi) in discussions about social issues and policy. You might read articles about how '诊费过低' (consultation fees being too low) leads to doctors relying on medicine sales for income. You can use it to describe economic trends in the healthcare sector. You should also understand related formal terms like 诊金 (a more traditional term) or 诊查费 (a technical term used in billing). Your ability to use 诊费 in a debate about '看病难，看病贵' (the difficulty and high cost of seeing a doctor) shows a high level of proficiency. You can also use it in hypothetical scenarios involving insurance claims and legal medical disputes.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of 诊费 (zhěnfèi) within the broader socioeconomic landscape of China. You can analyze the impact of '医改' (medical reform) on 诊费 structures and how this affects patient behavior. You should be able to use the term in academic or professional writing regarding healthcare management. You understand the subtle differences between 诊费, 劳务费 (labor fee), and 技术服务费 (technical service fee) in a medical context. You can also discuss the history of how medical fees have transitioned from traditional 'thank you' gifts to standardized professional fees. Your vocabulary allows you to discuss '诊费定价机制' (pricing mechanisms for consultation fees) with precision.

At the C2 level, you possess near-native command of 诊费 (zhěnfèi) and can use it in highly specialized medical, legal, or economic discussions. You can critically evaluate the ethical implications of high 诊费 in private healthcare versus subsidized public systems. You are capable of translating complex medical billing documents that involve 诊费 and its various sub-categories. You understand its usage in classical or early modern literature where the concept of 'paying the doctor' might be expressed differently, and you can compare those historical terms with the modern 诊费. You can lead seminars or write white papers on healthcare fiscal policy, using 诊费 as a key variable in hospital revenue models.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

诊费 in 30 Seconds

诊费 (zhěnfèi) means consultation fee, the cost for a doctor's medical assessment.
It is a formal medical term used in hospitals, clinics, and insurance documents.
Commonly confused with registration fees (挂号费) but specifically refers to the doctor's professional service.
Essential for navigating healthcare systems and understanding medical bills in Chinese-speaking regions.

The term 诊费 (zhěnfèi) is a fundamental noun in the Chinese medical lexicon, specifically referring to the 'consultation fee' or 'doctor's fee' paid by a patient for a medical assessment. In the context of modern healthcare in China, this term represents the professional service charge for a physician's time, expertise, and diagnostic reasoning, separate from the costs of medication, laboratory tests, or surgical procedures. Understanding this word is crucial for anyone navigating the healthcare system in a Chinese-speaking environment, as it appears on every hospital receipt and is a frequent topic of discussion regarding healthcare affordability.

Etymological Breakdown: The character 诊 (zhěn) means to examine, diagnose, or see a doctor. It combines the speech radical (言) with a phonetic component, implying the verbal exchange and analysis involved in a diagnosis. The character 费 (fèi) means fee, cost, or expense. Together, they literally translate to 'diagnosis fee'.
Systemic Context: In mainland China, the 诊费 is often bundled with or closely related to the 挂号费 (guàhàofèi), or registration fee. While the registration fee covers the administrative cost of being seen, the 诊费 specifically compensates the medical professional. In private clinics or high-end international hospitals, the 诊费 can be significantly higher than in public hospitals, often reflecting the doctor's seniority and specialization.

这家私人诊所的诊费虽然很高，但是医生的技术非常精湛。(Although the consultation fee at this private clinic is very high, the doctor's skills are superb.)

Historically, the concept of a consultation fee has evolved. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners might have been paid in goods or through a 'red envelope' (红包) in some eras, but modern standardization has codified 诊费 as a transparent line item. When you visit a hospital, you will encounter this word at the 'shōufèi' (收费) or payment counter. It is one of the first things you pay for before even seeing the doctor in many public systems.

请问这位专家的诊费是多少？(May I ask how much the consultation fee for this specialist is?)

Usage Nuances: The term is formal and specific. You wouldn't use it for a lawyer's fee (which would be 律师费 lǜshīfèi) or a general service charge. It is strictly medical. Furthermore, it is distinct from 医药费 (yīyàofèi), which is a broader term encompassing both the consultation and the cost of medicine.

When discussing healthcare reforms, economists and government officials often debate the 'pricing of medical services,' where 诊费 is a central pillar. Increasing the consultation fee while lowering medicine markups has been a key strategy in Chinese healthcare reform to ensure doctors are paid for their skills rather than for selling drugs.

医改后，医生的诊费有所提高，以体现劳务价值。(After the medical reform, doctors' consultation fees have increased to reflect the value of their labor.)

Using 诊费 (zhěnfèi) correctly requires understanding its placement within various sentence structures, typically involving verbs related to payment, inquiry, or adjustment. Because it is a formal noun, it often appears in professional or administrative contexts.

Common Verb Pairings

支付 (zhīfù) - To pay: '你需要先支付诊费。' (You need to pay the consultation fee first.)
免除 (miǎnchú) - To waive: '医院决定免除这位贫困患者的诊费。' (The hospital decided to waive the consultation fee for this poor patient.)
调整 (tiáozhěng) - To adjust: '政府正在考虑调整公立医院的诊费标准。' (The government is considering adjusting the consultation fee standards for public hospitals.)

如果你有医疗保险，诊费可以报销一部分。(If you have medical insurance, part of the consultation fee can be reimbursed.)

In a question format, 诊费 usually follows the pattern '...的诊费是多少?' or '...诊费怎么算?'. These are essential phrases for any patient. For example, if you are seeing a specialist, you might ask: '专家号的诊费比普通号贵多少？' (How much more expensive is the specialist consultation fee compared to the general one?)

Adjective Modifiers

昂贵的 (ángguì de) - Expensive: '昂贵的诊费让普通家庭难以承受。' (Expensive consultation fees are hard for ordinary families to bear.)
合理的 (hélǐ de) - Reasonable: '这家诊所的诊费非常合理。' (The consultation fees at this clinic are very reasonable.)
固定的 (gùdìng de) - Fixed: '社区卫生中心的诊费是固定的。' (The consultation fees at community health centers are fixed.)

他在交费处排队交诊费。(He is lining up at the payment counter to pay the consultation fee.)

In descriptive sentences, 诊费 can act as the subject or the object. When acting as the subject, it often describes a state or a change. For instance: '诊费的提高旨在改善医生的待遇。' (The increase in consultation fees aims to improve the treatment of doctors.) When acting as the object, it is usually what is being discussed, paid, or queried.

有的老中医甚至不收诊费，只收药钱。(Some old Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners don't even charge a consultation fee, only the cost of the medicine.)

Finally, in the digital age, you will see this word on smartphone apps like WeChat or Alipay when booking a doctor's appointment. The button might say '支付诊费' (Pay consultation fee). Understanding this word allows you to navigate these apps without confusion, ensuring you don't miss an appointment because of an unpaid fee.

The word 诊费 (zhěnfèi) is ubiquitous in any setting related to healthcare, insurance, or social welfare in Chinese-speaking regions. You will hear it in both professional environments and casual conversations about health and money.

In the Hospital: The most common place to hear this word is at the 'shōufèi' (payment) or 'guàhào' (registration) windows. Staff will often say, '请去那边交诊费' (Please go over there to pay the consultation fee). You might also hear patients complaining to each other in the waiting room: '现在的专家诊费真是越来越贵了' (Specialist consultation fees these days are really getting more and more expensive).

护士：'您好，请先到窗口交纳五十元的诊费。'(Nurse: 'Hello, please go to the window to pay the fifty yuan consultation fee first.')

In the news and media, 诊费 is a frequent topic in reports about healthcare policy. News anchors might discuss '提高诊费' (raising consultation fees) as a way to curb the over-prescription of antibiotics or to better value the intellectual labor of doctors. You will hear it in documentaries about rural healthcare or in talk shows discussing the 'cost of living' in big cities like Beijing or Shanghai.

In Insurance Discussions: When talking to an insurance agent or reading a policy, 诊费 is a key term. They will explain whether the 'yīpǔ' (general insurance) or 'shāngyè bǎoxiǎn' (commercial insurance) covers the consultation fee. Phrases like '诊费全额报销' (consultation fee fully reimbursed) are major selling points for premium insurance plans.

保险经纪人：'我们的计划涵盖了所有三甲医院的诊费。'(Insurance agent: 'Our plan covers the consultation fees of all Grade 3A hospitals.')

In television dramas (especially medical dramas like 'Surgeons' or 'The Hospital'), you will hear doctors and hospital administrators discussing the '诊费' in the context of hospital revenue and patient care. It adds a layer of realism to the dialogue, as the financial aspect of medicine is a daily reality in China.

在一些偏远地区，政府会对农民的诊费给予补贴。(In some remote areas, the government provides subsidies for farmers' consultation fees.)

You might also encounter this word in online forums and social media groups where people share their experiences with different doctors. Users often post reviews like, '诊费不便宜，但医生态度很好' (The consultation fee isn't cheap, but the doctor's attitude is very good). This peer-to-peer sharing of information makes 诊费 a common part of the digital conversation around wellness.

While 诊费 (zhěnfèi) seems straightforward, English speakers and even intermediate Chinese learners often make specific errors in its usage, pronunciation, and conceptual application.

1. Confusing '诊费' with '挂号费': In common parlance, many people say 挂号费 (registration fee) when they mean the total cost of seeing the doctor. However, 诊费 is the specific professional fee. In some modern systems, they are listed separately on the receipt. Using 诊费 is more precise when you are talking about the doctor's service value rather than the administrative act of booking.
2. Incorrect Verb Usage: Learners often try to use '给' (gěi - to give) instead of '交' (jiāo - to hand over/pay) or '支付' (zhīfù - to pay). While '给诊费' is understandable, '交诊费' or '付诊费' is much more natural. '交' implies a formal transaction at a counter, which is the standard way medical fees are handled in China.

错误：我给了医生诊费。(Incorrect: I gave the doctor the fee - sounds like a bribe or tip.)
正确：我在窗口交了诊费。(Correct: I paid the consultation fee at the window.)

Another common mistake is applying the word to non-medical professions. You cannot use 诊费 for a consultant in business (that would be 咨询费 zīxúnfèi) or a tutor (which would be 学费 xuéfèi or 课时费 kèshífèi). The character 诊 is the anchor that binds this word strictly to medicine.

In terms of grammar, 诊费 is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. You cannot say '我要诊费你' to mean 'I want to charge you a consultation fee.' You must say '我要收你的诊费' (I need to collect your consultation fee) or '诊费是...' (The consultation fee is...).

注意：不要把诊费和药费混为一谈，它们在账单上是分开的。(Note: Don't confuse consultation fees with medicine fees; they are separate on the bill.)

Lastly, learners sometimes forget that 诊费 is generally paid per visit. If you see two different doctors in one day (e.g., a GP and a specialist), you will likely pay two separate 诊费. Understanding this cultural and administrative logic helps in using the word correctly in situational dialogues.

To truly master 诊费 (zhěnfèi), one must understand its synonyms and related terms within the medical and financial domains. Chinese has many specific words for 'fees,' and choosing the right one is key to sounding natural.

Comparison Table

Term	Pinyin	Meaning	Context
挂号费	guàhàofèi	Registration Fee	The cost to get a number/slot to see a doctor.
医药费	yīyàofèi	Medical Expenses	General term for total hospital costs (doctor + medicine).
咨询费	zīxúnfèi	Consultation Fee	Used for lawyers, consultants, or non-medical advice.
检查费	jiǎncháfèi	Examination Fee	Fees for blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, etc.

虽然他免了我的诊费，但我还得付检查费。(Although he waived my consultation fee, I still have to pay for the examination fees.)

Another alternative you might encounter in older texts or very formal Traditional Chinese Medicine contexts is 诊金 (zhěnjīn). The character 金 (jīn) means gold or money, and 诊金 carries a slightly more prestigious or traditional connotation, often used when referring to a highly respected master's fee. In modern mainland China, 诊费 is the standard administrative term.

When discussing the total bill, people often use 医疗费用 (yīliáo fèiyòng), which is a more formal and comprehensive term than 医药费. If you are filling out an insurance claim form, you will likely see 医疗费用 as the category, and 诊查费 (zhěncháfèi - diagnosis and examination fee) as a sub-item that combines the consultation and basic check-up.

医生，请问这些诊费包含了后续的复诊吗？(Doctor, does this consultation fee include subsequent follow-up visits?)

Understanding these distinctions helps you avoid using 'consultation fee' when you actually mean 'the cost of the pills I just bought.' It also allows you to navigate the complex billing structures of modern hospitals where different services are categorized with precise terminology.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, doctors were often called 'Langzhong' or 'Dafu,' and their payment was sometimes called 'Chemafei' (carriage and horse fee), implying travel costs rather than a service fee.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dʒʌn feɪ/

US /dʒʌn feɪ/

The stress is equal on both syllables, though the falling tone on 'fèi' makes it sound more emphasized.

Rhymes With

本费 (běnfèi) 学费 (xuéfèi) 路费 (lùfèi) 话费 (huàfèi) 运费 (yùnfèi) 电费 (diànfèi) 水费 (shuǐfèi) 小费 (xiǎofèi)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zh' as 'z' (zenfei).
Pronouncing 'en' as 'eng' (zhengfei).
Missing the tones, making it sound flat.
Confusing 'fei' with 'hui' (zhenhui).
Using a rising tone on 'fei' (zhenféi).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are common but '诊' has many strokes.

Writing 3/5

Writing '诊' and '费' requires practice for stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are distinct (3rd and 4th).

Listening 2/5

Easily recognized in a hospital context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

医生钱看病医院交

Learn Next

挂号药费住院保险报销

Advanced

医疗体制分级诊疗医保报销比例劳务价值定价机制

Grammar to Know

Measure Words for Money/Fees

一笔诊费 (A sum of consultation fee).

The Verb '交' (jiāo)

交学费，交电费，交诊费。

Separable Verbs and Objects

收费 (To charge a fee) -> 收诊费。

Questions with '多少' (duōshao)

诊费是多少？

Purpose with '为了' (wèile)

为了看病，他交了高额诊费。

Examples by Level

诊费多少钱？

How much is the consultation fee?

Simple question structure with '多少钱'.

我要交诊费。

I need to pay the consultation fee.

Verb '交' means to pay or hand over.

诊费是十块。

The consultation fee is ten yuan.

Using '是' to state a price.

这里交诊费吗？

Do I pay the consultation fee here?

Question with '吗' at the end.

诊费不贵。

The consultation fee is not expensive.

Adjective '贵' (expensive) with negation '不'.

医生不收诊费。

The doctor doesn't charge a consultation fee.

Verb '收' means to receive or charge.

请给我诊费收据。

Please give me the consultation fee receipt.

'给我' means 'give me'.

他的诊费很高。

His consultation fee is very high.

Adjective '高' used for price/fee.

专家号的诊费比较贵。

The consultation fee for a specialist is relatively expensive.

Use of '比较' for comparison.

你可以用手机付诊费。

You can pay the consultation fee with your phone.

Auxiliary verb '可以' showing possibility.

诊费里包含检查费吗？

Does the consultation fee include the examination fee?

Verb '包含' means to include.

我忘了交诊费了。

I forgot to pay the consultation fee.

Use of '了' for a completed or changed state.

这家医院的诊费很合理。

The consultation fees at this hospital are very reasonable.

Adjective '合理' means reasonable.

交完诊费就可以看医生了。

After paying the consultation fee, you can see the doctor.

'V + 完' indicates completion of an action.

诊费通常是固定的。

Consultation fees are usually fixed.

Adverb '通常' means usually.

保险可以报销一部分诊费。

Insurance can reimburse a portion of the consultation fee.

Verb '报销' is essential for insurance contexts.

由于医改，诊费的标准发生了变化。

Due to medical reform, the standards for consultation fees have changed.

'由于' means 'due to' or 'because of'.

医生建议先交诊费再进行诊断。

The doctor suggests paying the consultation fee before proceeding with the diagnosis.

'先...再...' structure for sequence.

如果诊费太高，很多人会看不起病。

If consultation fees are too high, many people won't be able to afford medical care.

Conditional '如果...会...'.

社区诊所的诊费通常比大医院低。

Consultation fees at community clinics are usually lower than at large hospitals.

Comparison using '比'.

这笔诊费已经包含在总费用里了。

This consultation fee is already included in the total cost.

'已经...了' for already.

他因为无法支付诊费而感到焦虑。

He felt anxious because he couldn't pay the consultation fee.

'因为...而...' showing cause and effect.

我们需要核对一下诊费的金额。

We need to verify the amount of the consultation fee.

Verb '核对' means to verify or check.

有的私人医生收取的诊费非常惊人。

Some private doctors charge startlingly high consultation fees.

Adjective '惊人' means startling or amazing.

提高诊费是为了体现医生的劳动价值。

Raising consultation fees is to reflect the value of the doctor's labor.

'是为了' indicates purpose.

诊费的调整引起了社会各界的广泛关注。

The adjustment of consultation fees has attracted widespread attention from all sectors of society.

Resultative '引起' with '关注'.

在某些国家，诊费是由政府全额补贴的。

In some countries, consultation fees are fully subsidized by the government.

Passive structure '由...补贴'.

患者对诊费的涨幅表示不满。

Patients expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in consultation fees.

Noun '涨幅' means the range of increase.

我们应该建立一个合理的诊费定价机制。

We should establish a reasonable pricing mechanism for consultation fees.

Verb '建立' means to establish.

诊费的高低往往取决于医生的资历。

The level of consultation fees often depends on the doctor's seniority.

'取决于' means 'depends on'.

有些慈善机构会代为支付贫困患者的诊费。

Some charities will pay consultation fees on behalf of poor patients.

'代为' means 'on behalf of'.

诊费的收缴过程应当更加透明化。

The process of collecting consultation fees should be more transparent.

Suffix '化' makes it 'transparent-ized'.

诊费的结构性改革是当前医疗体系优化的重点。

The structural reform of consultation fees is the focus of current medical system optimization.

Abstract noun '结构性改革'.

通过提高诊费来降低药占比，是医改的一个重要策略。

Using the increase of consultation fees to lower the proportion of medicine costs is an important strategy of medical reform.

'通过...来...' means 'by means of... to...'.

诊费的定价不仅关乎医院收益，更关乎民生福祉。

The pricing of consultation fees concerns not only hospital revenue but also the well-being of the people.

'不仅...更...' for emphasis.

法律明确规定，严禁在诊费之外收取额外的小费。

The law clearly stipulates that it is strictly forbidden to charge extra tips besides the consultation fee.

'严禁' means strictly forbidden.

专家号诊费的溢价反映了优质医疗资源的稀缺性。

The premium on specialist consultation fees reflects the scarcity of high-quality medical resources.

Noun '溢价' means premium; '稀缺性' means scarcity.

诊费的波动直接影响了基层医疗机构的就诊率。

Fluctuations in consultation fees directly affect the consultation rate of primary medical institutions.

Verb '影响' with '直接' (directly).

该政策旨在通过差异化诊费来引导患者分级诊疗。

The policy aims to guide patients toward tiered diagnosis and treatment through differentiated consultation fees.

'旨在' means 'aims to'.

诊费的合理分配是激励医务人员积极性的关键因素。

The rational distribution of consultation fees is a key factor in motivating medical personnel.

Noun '积极性' means enthusiasm or motivation.

在宏观经济视野下，诊费的变迁折射出国家医疗保障制度的演进。

From a macroeconomic perspective, changes in consultation fees reflect the evolution of the national medical security system.

Verb '折射' used metaphorically for 'reflecting'.

诊费定价的博弈涉及政府、医院、医生以及患者多方利益。

The game of consultation fee pricing involves the interests of multiple parties: the government, hospitals, doctors, and patients.

Noun '博弈' means game or contest.

应当警惕诊费市场化过程中可能出现的医疗服务不公现象。

One should be wary of the potential phenomenon of medical service injustice during the marketization of consultation fees.

Verb '警惕' means to be wary of.

诊费作为医疗服务的核心价格信号，其导向作用至关重要。

As the core price signal of medical services, the guiding role of consultation fees is vital.

'至关重要' is a formal idiom for 'crucial'.

学术界对诊费是否应完全由市场供需决定仍存在广泛争议。

There is still widespread controversy in academia about whether consultation fees should be entirely determined by market supply and demand.

Noun '争议' means controversy.

诊费的征收必须严格遵循物价部门核定的收费标准。

The collection of consultation fees must strictly follow the fee standards approved by the price department.

Verb '遵循' means to follow or adhere to.

从伦理学角度审视，诊费的设定不应剥夺公民的基本医疗权。

Examined from an ethical perspective, the setting of consultation fees should not deprive citizens of their basic right to medical care.

Verb '审视' means to examine closely.

诊费收入的透明化审计是防止医疗机构财务腐败的重要手段。

Transparent auditing of consultation fee income is an important means of preventing financial corruption in medical institutions.

Noun '审计' means audit.

Common Collocations

交诊费

支付诊费

昂贵的诊费

免除诊费

调整诊费

诊费收据

报销诊费

诊费标准

收取诊费

专家诊费

Common Phrases

诊费多少？

— A short, common way to ask for the price.

请问普通号的诊费多少？

先交诊费

— The rule in most Chinese hospitals to pay before seeing the doctor.

请先交诊费，然后去诊室排队。

诊费全免

— Indicates that the consultation is completely free.

今天医院搞活动，诊费全免。

诊费自理

— Indicates that the patient must pay the fee out of pocket (not covered).

这部分诊费需要患者自理。

包含诊费

— Used to clarify if a package or total includes the doctor's fee.

体检套餐里已经包含诊费了。

诊费涨价

— The act of the consultation fee increasing.

由于通货膨胀，私人诊所的诊费涨价了。

退还诊费

— Refunding the fee if the doctor was unavailable.

如果医生没来，可以去窗口退还诊费。

诊费明细

— The breakdown of the consultation fee on a bill.

账单上有详细的诊费明细。

诊费补贴

— Government or employer help with paying the fee.

农村合作医疗提供诊费补贴。

高额诊费

— Referring to a very large amount of money for a consultation.

他支付了高额诊费才见到那位名医。

Often Confused With

诊费 vs 挂号费

Registration fee. In many hospitals, paying the registration fee effectively pays the consultation fee, but they are technically different.

诊费 vs 咨询费

Consultation fee for non-medical services (lawyers, business consultants).

诊费 vs 药费

The cost of the medication itself, which is always separate from the 诊费.

Idioms & Expressions

"悬壶济世"

— To practice medicine to save the world; often implies the doctor is not motivated by money.

他悬壶济世，从不计较诊费多少。

Literary/Praise

"医者仁心"

— A doctor has a benevolent heart; suggests a focus on the patient over the fee.

医者仁心，他甚至为穷人免去了诊费。

Praise

"妙手回春"

— To bring back spring with a skilled hand (to cure a dying patient); justifies high fees.

虽然诊费高，但他妙手回春，值了。

Praise

"看病难，看病贵"

— Difficulty and high cost of medical care; a common social complaint.

诊费的上涨加剧了看病贵的问题。

Colloquial/Social

"药到病除"

— Disease is eliminated as soon as the medicine arrives; the goal for which fees are paid.

只要能药到病除，多交点诊费也愿意。

Common

"对症下药"

— To prescribe the right medicine for the symptom; the professional service represented by the fee.

医生收了诊费，就应该对症下药。

Common

"救死扶伤"

— Heal the wounded and rescue the dying; the noble duty of doctors.

救死扶伤是天职，诊费只是形式。

Formal

"不菲之费"

— A cost that is not small (expensive).

请这位专家看病需要一笔不菲之费。

Formal

"分文不取"

— To not take a single cent; used for free medical service.

他为乡亲们看病，诊费分文不取。

Commendatory

"取之于民，用之于民"

— Taken from the people, used for the people; regarding public hospital fees.

公立医院的诊费应当取之于民，用之于民。

Political/Formal

Easily Confused

诊费 vs 诊金

Both mean consultation fee.

诊金 is more traditional/prestige-oriented, while 诊费 is the modern administrative term.

名医的诊金往往很高。

诊费 vs 医疗费

Both relate to medical costs.

医疗费 is the total sum of everything; 诊费 is just the doctor's fee.

他一共花了三千元医疗费，其中诊费只有五十元。

诊费 vs 检查费

Both are paid at the hospital.

检查费 is for tests (blood, X-ray); 诊费 is for the doctor's talk/diagnosis.

除了诊费，你还得交两百元检查费。

诊费 vs 手续费

Both are types of fees.

手续费 is a processing/handling fee (like at a bank); 诊费 is specifically for medical diagnosis.

这里不收手续费，只收诊费。

诊费 vs 小费

Both are payments for service.

小费 is a tip (voluntary); 诊费 is a mandatory professional fee.

在中国医院，你不需要给小费，只需交诊费。

Sentence Patterns

诊费 + [Number] + 元。

诊费五十元。

我可以 + [Verb] + 诊费吗？

我可以手机支付诊费吗？

虽然 + 诊费 + [Adjective]，但是 + ...

虽然诊费很贵，但是医生很专业。

请问 + [Type] + 的诊费是多少？

请问专家号的诊费是多少？

通过 + [Action] + 来 + 调整诊费。

通过政策改革来调整诊费。

诊费的 + [Noun] + 引起了 + [Reaction]。

诊费的上涨引起了患者的不满。

[Abstract Concept] + 折射出 + 诊费的 + [Noun]。

医疗体系的变革折射出诊费结构的调整。

All

交 + 诊费

别忘了交诊费。

Word Family

Nouns

诊所 (zhěnsuǒ - clinic)

诊断 (zhěnduàn - diagnosis)

费用 (fèiyòng - expense)

Verbs

诊治 (zhěnzhì - to diagnose and treat)

付费 (fùfèi - to pay a fee)

Adjectives

诊查的 (zhěnchá de - diagnostic)

费钱的 (fèiqián de - costly)

挂号 (guàhào)

医生 (yīshēng)

医院 (yīyuàn)

处方 (chǔfāng)

病历 (bìnglì)

How to Use It

frequency

Daily use in medical contexts; very high frequency in news about healthcare.

Common Mistakes

Using '给' instead of '交' for paying. → 交诊费 / 支付诊费
In Chinese, '交' (jiāo) is the standard verb for paying official fees like tuition, bills, or consultation fees. '给' is too informal.
Confusing '诊费' with '咨询费'. → 去医院要交诊费。
'咨询费' (zīxúnfèi) is for general advice (law, business). '诊费' is strictly medical. Using the wrong one sounds unprofessional.
Thinking '诊费' includes medication. → 诊费是医生的服务费，药费要另付。
This is a conceptual mistake. Learners often expect the consultation fee to cover the treatment or medicine, which it doesn't.
Pronouncing '诊' as 'zhēn' (1st tone). → zhěn (3rd tone)
The 3rd tone is crucial. Pronouncing it as 1st tone might make it sound like 'needle' (针), which is also medical but different.
Using '诊费' as a verb. → 医生收取诊费。
'诊费' is a noun. You cannot say 'He is consultation fee-ing me.' You must use a verb like '收' (charge) or '付' (pay).

Tips

Pay Upfront

In China, remember to pay the '诊费' before you wait. If you don't pay at the machine or window first, your name won't appear on the doctor's list.

Check the Grade

Hospital 'grades' (like 3A) determine the '诊费'. Higher grade hospitals have higher fees. For minor issues, go to a community center to save money.

Tone Accuracy

Ensure 'fèi' is a sharp falling tone. If you say it with a rising tone, it might sound like 'flying', which will confuse the staff.

App Payment

Most hospitals now use WeChat or Alipay. Look for '门诊缴费' (Outpatient Payment) in the hospital's mini-program to pay your '诊费'.

Service vs. Product

Think of '诊费' as buying the doctor's knowledge, and '药费' as buying a product. This distinction is key to understanding Chinese medical reform.

No Tipping

The '诊费' is the only official payment for the service. Giving extra money (red envelopes) is illegal and unethical in modern China.

Keep Receipts

Always ask for the '诊费发票' (receipt). You need this specific document if you plan to claim money back from your insurance company.

Specialist Savings

If you just need a refill of a regular prescription, ask for a '便民门诊' (convenience clinic) where the '诊费' is often much lower or even zero.

Measure Word

Use '笔' (bǐ) for '诊费'. For example: '这是一笔不小的诊费' (This is a significant consultation fee).

Character Meaning

Remember the 'speech' radical in '诊'. It reminds you that the consultation (诊费) involves talking and explaining your symptoms.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'ZHEN' as 'GENTLE' (the doctor is gentle during the exam) and 'FEI' as 'FEE'. A 'Gentle Fee' for the doctor's help.

Visual Association

Imagine a doctor (诊) holding a dollar sign (费). Or visualize a receipt with the characters 诊费 at the top.

Word Web

Doctor Hospital Money Diagnosis Payment Insurance Clinic Receipt

Challenge

Try to use 诊费 in a sentence at a pharmacy to ask if the fee for the doctor was included in the medicine price.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '诊' (zhěn) dates back to ancient medical texts referring to pulse-taking and examination. '费' (fèi) originally referred to the expenditure of money or resources.

Original meaning: The combined meaning 'fee for diagnosis' emerged more clearly during the late Qing and early Republican periods as Western-style medical billing practices were introduced.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be respectful when discussing fees with doctors in China; while it is a business transaction, the doctor-patient relationship is traditionally viewed as a moral one.

In the US/UK, this is often called a 'co-pay' or 'consultation charge'. The concept is similar, but the payment method (upfront vs. billing) differs.

Medical dramas like 'The Good Doctor' (Chinese version) mention fees. News reports on the 'Health China 2030' initiative. Social media debates on platforms like Weibo about doctor salaries.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Registration Desk

我想挂个专家号，诊费多少？
在这里交诊费吗？
可以刷卡付诊费吗？
诊费收据给我一张。

Talking to Insurance

诊费可以报销吗？
报销比例是多少？
需要诊费发票的原件。
这笔诊费不在涵盖范围内。

With the Doctor

复诊还需要再交诊费吗？
诊费包含了后续的咨询吗？
您能免除我的诊费吗？
诊费是按次收取的。

Discussing Costs with Friends

那家诊所的诊费特别高。
我觉得这个诊费很合理。
现在的诊费比以前贵多了。
有些地方是不收诊费的。

Reading News/Policy

政府上调了公立医院诊费。
取消药品加成，提高诊费。
诊费改革取得初步成效。
患者对高额诊费表示担忧。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得现在的专家诊费贵吗？"

"在你的国家，看医生的诊费通常是多少？"

"如果你没有保险，你还会去交高额诊费看病吗？"

"你认为医生的诊费应该由政府定还是市场定？"

"你有没有遇到过医生免除诊费的情况？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你在医院交诊费的经历，当时的心情如何？

你认为提高诊费能否真正体现医生的价值？为什么？

对比一下你家乡和中国在诊费支付方式上的不同。

如果有一天所有的诊费都免除了，社会会发生什么变化？

写一段对话，关于一个患者在咨询诊费时发现太贵而犹豫不决。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

在大多数中国公立医院，诊费是在挂号（登记）时预先支付的。你只有交了诊费，才能获得一个就诊号去见医生。

挂号费是行政登记费用，而诊费是医生的劳务报酬。现在很多医院将两者合并收取，统称为‘医事服务费’或‘诊察费’。

通常情况下，只要医生提供了咨询服务，诊费是不予退还的。但如果是因为医生迟到或没能出诊，你可以申请退费。

这取决于你的保险类型。中国的社会基本医疗保险（医保）通常可以报销一部分公立医院的诊费。私人商业保险则可能全额报销。

专家号诊费更高是为了体现高级医师更丰富的经验和更高的专业水平，同时也是为了通过价格杠杆引导轻症患者看普通门诊。

私人诊所的诊费由市场定价，差异很大。从几百元到上千元不等，通常比公立医院贵很多，但服务环境更好。

不包含。诊费仅仅是看医生的费用。如果你需要买药，需要根据医生的处方另外支付药费。

是的。在互联网医院咨询医生通常也需要支付在线诊费，费用一般比线下门诊稍低。

是的，急诊（Emergency）的诊费通常比普通门诊贵，因为急诊需要维持24小时运行并处理紧急情况。

在支持医保个人账户支付的医院，你可以直接刷医保卡支付诊费。