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A2 verb #4,500 most common 14 min read

出院

chūyuàn Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 出院 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 出院 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '出院' (chūyuàn) is a very useful word because it helps you talk about basic health and family situations. It is made of two simple parts: '出' (chū), which means 'to go out,' and '院' (yuàn), which here stands for 'hospital' (医院). You can think of it as 'exit hospital.' At this level, you only need to know how to use it in simple sentences like 'I go home tomorrow' or 'He is out of the hospital.' You will mostly use it with '了' (le) to show the action is finished, like '他出院了' (He has left the hospital). It is the opposite of '住院' (zhùyuàn), which means 'to stay in the hospital.' Even at A1, it is important to remember not to say '出院医院' because '院' already means hospital. Just say '出院' and everyone will understand you. It is a happy word for beginners because it usually means someone is feeling better and going back to their family.

At the A2 level, you should begin to understand that '出院' (chūyuàn) is a 'separable verb' (离合词). This means it's a verb-object phrase that can sometimes be split. For example, you can say '出了院' (chū le yuàn) to emphasize that the action of leaving the hospital is completed. You should also learn to use it with time words. In Chinese, time comes before the verb: '他昨天出院了' (He was discharged yesterday). You might also start using it with the verb '办' (bàn), which means 'to do' or 'to handle.' '办出院' (bàn chūyuàn) means to handle the discharge paperwork. At this level, you should be able to tell a short story about a friend who was sick, stayed in the hospital (住院), and then finally came home (出院). You should also know the difference between '出院' and '回家' (huíjiā); while they often happen together, '出院' is the official medical part, and '回家' is just going home.

By B1, you should be comfortable using '出院' (chūyuàn) in more complex sentence structures. For instance, you can use the '从...出院' (cóng... chūyuàn) pattern to specify which hospital someone is leaving. You should also be familiar with common word pairings like '康复出院' (kāngfù chūyuàn), which means to be discharged after recovering. This is often seen in news stories or formal health updates. You will also encounter '出院手续' (chūyuàn shǒuxù - discharge procedures) and '出院证' (chūyuàn zhèng - discharge certificate). At this level, you should understand that '出院' is an administrative event as much as a medical one. You might use it in a sentence like '医生说如果检查结果好，他下周就能出院' (The doctor said if the test results are good, he can be discharged next week). You should also be able to distinguish '出院' from '离院' (leaving the hospital grounds temporarily).

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuances of '出院' (chūyuàn) in various contexts, including insurance and legal situations. You will hear terms like '出院小结' (chūyuàn xiǎojié), which is the formal medical discharge summary required for insurance claims or follow-up care. You should also be aware of '自动出院' (zìdòng chūyuàn), which means a patient chooses to leave the hospital against medical advice (AMA). This is a more advanced concept that involves understanding patient rights and hospital liability. Grammatically, you should be able to use '出院' as a noun or a verb interchangeably depending on the sentence structure, such as '关于出院后的注意事项' (Regarding the matters to note after discharge). You should also be able to discuss the social implications of discharge, such as the 'convalescence' period and the support systems required at home.

At the C1 level, you are expected to use '出院' (chūyuàn) with high precision and in professional or academic contexts. You might discuss '出院率' (chūyuàn lǜ - discharge rate) as a metric for hospital efficiency or the success of a specific medical intervention. You should be familiar with formal bureaucratic language, such as '准予出院' (permitted to be discharged) or '办理出院结算' (to handle discharge settlement). You can also use '出院' in metaphorical or broader sociological discussions about healthcare access and the burden on the medical system. For example, discussing how 'hospital bed turnover' (病床周转率) is affected by the speed of '出院' procedures. Your understanding should extend to the cultural taboos associated with the word, such as why people avoid saying '再见' (goodbye) to medical staff when they '出院', reflecting deep-seated cultural beliefs about health and luck.

At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of '出院' (chūyuàn) and its place in the broader landscape of Chinese medical terminology and social etiquette. You can participate in complex debates about healthcare policy, such as the ethics of '自动出院' in terminal cases or the financial pressures that lead to 'premature discharge' (过早出院). You should understand how the term is used in classical-style formal medical writing versus modern colloquial speech. You can also interpret the subtleties in a doctor's tone when they discuss '出院'—for instance, whether '可以出院了' implies a full cure or simply that the hospital can do no more. You are also aware of the linguistic history of the characters '出' and '院' and how their combination has evolved to specifically denote this medical event in the modern era, distinct from other types of institutional releases.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

出院 in 30 Seconds

Means to be discharged from the hospital after inpatient care.
A separable verb (离合词) consisting of '出' (exit) and '院' (hospital).
Opposite of '住院' (to be hospitalized) and requires administrative '手续' (procedures).
Commonly used in medical, family, and insurance contexts in Chinese society.

The Chinese term 出院 (chūyuàn) is a fundamental verb used in medical and daily life contexts, literally translating to "exiting the courtyard" or "leaving the institution." In modern Mandarin, it specifically refers to the act of being discharged from a hospital after a period of inpatient treatment. Understanding this word requires looking at its two components: 出 (chū), meaning 'to go out' or 'to exit,' and 院 (yuàn), which is a shortened form of 医院 (yīyuàn), meaning 'hospital.' Together, they form a separable verb (离合词) that describes the transition from a patient status back to a member of the general public. This word carries a significant emotional weight in Chinese culture, as it often signifies recovery, the end of a period of suffering, and the return to family life. Unlike simply 'leaving' a building, 出院 implies that the medical professional has authorized the departure because the treatment is complete or the patient's condition has stabilized enough for home care.

Medical Status: It indicates the formal conclusion of inpatient care. You cannot use this word if you are just visiting a doctor for a check-up (an outpatient visit); it only applies to those who have occupied a hospital bed (住院).
Administrative Process: In China, '出院' involves a series of procedures (手续), including settling the bill (结账), receiving a discharge summary (出院小结), and getting prescriptions for home use.

医生说我爷爷明天就可以出院了。(The doctor said my grandfather can be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.)

The word is used across all levels of formality. In a formal medical report, you might see '准予出院' (permitted to be discharged), while in casual conversation, one might simply ask '你什么时候出院？' (When are you getting out of the hospital?). It is also frequently used in news reports regarding public health, such as reporting the number of recovered patients leaving the hospital during an epidemic. Interestingly, because Chinese hospitals are often crowded and the process of getting a bed is difficult, the act of 出院 is seen as freeing up a vital resource for someone else in need. Culturally, friends and family often gather to help the patient with their belongings on the day of discharge, making it a social event that marks the beginning of the 'convalescence' (康复) phase.

办完出院手续后，我们就回家。(After finishing the discharge procedures, we will go home.)

Furthermore, the term can be used metaphorically in some niche contexts, though its literal medical usage is overwhelmingly dominant. For instance, in some old-fashioned slang, it might refer to leaving any large institution, though this is rare today. In the context of health insurance and social security (社保), '出院' is a critical milestone for calculating reimbursements and coverage limits. It is also the point where the 'discharge summary' (出院小结) becomes the primary document for any follow-up care at local clinics.

他因为恢复得很快，提前出院了。(Because he recovered very quickly, he was discharged early.)

Social Etiquette: When someone '出院', it is common to say '祝贺你康复' (Congratulations on your recovery) or '回家好好休息' (Go home and rest well). It is generally considered bad luck to say '再见' (See you again) to hospital staff upon discharge, as it implies you might return soon.

虽然他已经出院了，但还需要定期复查。(Although he has been discharged, he still needs regular check-ups.)

In summary, '出院' is more than just a verb; it is a transition point between illness and health, between the controlled environment of the hospital and the freedom of home. It requires administrative action and usually implies medical improvement.

Using 出院 (chūyuàn) correctly involves understanding its nature as a separable verb (离合词). This means that while it functions as a single unit meaning 'to be discharged,' the '出' (verb) and '院' (object) can be split by other words, such as aspect markers or durations. This is a common feature in Chinese that often trips up English speakers. When you want to say 'has been discharged,' you typically use '出院了' (chūyuàn le) or '出了院' (chū le yuàn). If you want to specify how long someone was in the hospital before leaving, or the frequency, the structure changes slightly. For example, '他出了三次院' (He has been discharged/hospitalized three times).

Basic Subject-Verb Structure: The simplest way to use it is [Subject] + [Time] + [出院]. Example: '我下周二出院' (I will be discharged next Tuesday). This follows the standard Chinese time-before-verb rule.
Using with '办' (To Handle): Because discharge is an administrative process, '出院' is often used as a noun with the verb '办' (bàn). '办出院手续' (bàn chūyuàn shǒuxù) means 'to go through discharge procedures.'

张先生昨天下午五点正式出院了。(Mr. Zhang was formally discharged from the hospital at 5 PM yesterday.)

Another important grammatical point is that 出院 cannot take a direct object because '院' is already its object. You cannot say '出院医院' (exit hospital hospital). If you want to specify which hospital, you must use a prepositional phrase or a descriptive structure: '他从上海第一医院出院了' (He was discharged from Shanghai First Hospital). This '从...出院' (from... be discharged) structure is the standard way to provide location details. Additionally, when discussing the conditions of discharge, you might use '准予' (permit) or '要求' (request). '医生不准他出院' (The doctor doesn't permit him to be discharged) or '他要求出院' (He requested to be discharged).

在他出院之前，我们需要准备好干净的衣服。(Before he is discharged, we need to prepare clean clothes.)

In more complex sentences, '出院' can act as a modifier for nouns. For instance, '出院证' (chūyuàn zhèng) is a discharge certificate, and '出院指导' (chūyuàn zhǐdǎo) refers to post-discharge instructions. When using the word in a passive sense ('to be discharged'), Chinese doesn't usually use a passive marker like '被' (bèi) unless the emphasis is on the external force or a conflict. Usually, '他出院了' implies the process happened naturally or by medical order. If you say '他被要求出院' (He was asked to leave/discharged), it might imply the hospital needed the bed or there was an issue with payment.

The '了' Placement: Placement of '了' is crucial. '出院了' means the event has occurred or is about to occur (imminent aspect). '出了院' emphasizes the completion of the 'exiting' action. In daily speech, '出院了' is more common for general statements.

只要你的烧退了，就可以考虑出院的事了。(As long as your fever is gone, we can consider the matter of discharge.)

Finally, remember that '出院' is the opposite of '住院' (zhùyuàn - to be hospitalized). They are often used together in medical histories: '他上个月住院，这周刚出院' (He was hospitalized last month and just got discharged this week). Mastery of this word involves knowing when to treat it as a verb and when to treat it as part of a noun phrase regarding hospital administration.

The word 出院 (chūyuàn) is ubiquitous in the Chinese-speaking world, primarily because the hospital (医院) plays a central role in Chinese healthcare, even for minor ailments that might be handled by local clinics in the West. You will hear this word in several distinct environments. The most obvious is within the hospital walls. Nurses will tell patients, '明天你可以出院了' (You can be discharged tomorrow). You'll see signs pointing to the '出院结算处' (Discharge Billing Office). In this context, the word is technical and functional, often accompanied by discussions about paperwork, medicine, and follow-up appointments.

请到一楼大厅办理出院手续。(Please go to the first-floor lobby to handle discharge procedures.)

In the domestic sphere, '出院' is a major topic of family discussion. Because Chinese culture emphasizes 'filial piety' (孝顺) and family care, the discharge of an elderly relative or a child is an event that involves the whole extended family. You will hear family members on the phone saying, '爷爷出院了，我们今晚聚餐' (Grandpa is out of the hospital, we're having a big dinner tonight). It's a word of relief. Conversely, if someone is struggling, you might hear, '还没出院呢，还得观察几天' (Not discharged yet, still need to observe for a few more days).

News and Media: Chinese news broadcasts frequently use '出院' when reporting on public health. For example, during a flu season or a pandemic, reports will highlight the '出院人数' (number of discharged people) as a positive metric of success against the disease.
Workplace Conversations: Colleagues will use it when discussing sick leave. '小王出院了吗？我们需要他回来处理这个项目' (Has Xiao Wang been discharged? We need him back to handle this project).

据报道，所有受伤的乘客都已康复出院。(According to reports, all injured passengers have recovered and been discharged.)

Social media (WeChat Moments) is another place where '出院' appears frequently. People often post photos of the hospital gates or their discharge papers with a caption like '终于出院了！' (Finally discharged!) to let their social circle know they are healthy again. The responses are usually full of '祝贺' (congratulations) and '保重' (take care). In TV dramas, particularly 'medical dramas' or family soaps, '出院' often serves as a plot device—either a happy ending to a health scare or a tense moment where a character insists on leaving against medical advice (自动出院) to settle some unfinished business.

医生，请问我什么时候能办出院？(Doctor, may I ask when I can handle the discharge?)

Finally, you will hear it in insurance contexts. When calling a health insurance provider, they will ask for the '出院日期' (discharge date) to process claims. Whether it's the cold, clinical setting of an insurance office or the warm, celebratory atmosphere of a homecoming, '出院' is the word that marks the end of the patient journey.

Learning 出院 (chūyuàn) seems straightforward, but English speakers frequently make several types of errors. The most common mistake is treating it like a standard transitive verb that can take an object. In English, you 'leave the hospital.' In Chinese, 出院 literally means 'exit-hospital.' Therefore, adding the word for hospital (医院) after it is redundant and grammatically incorrect. You should never say 出院医院. Instead, if you must specify the hospital, use the '从 (from) [Hospital Name] 出院' structure.

Redundancy with '去' (Go): Some learners say 去出院 (go to be discharged). While you 'go' to the hospital to handle the procedures, the verb '出院' itself implies the movement of leaving. You should say '去办出院手续' (go to handle discharge procedures) or simply '出院'.
Misplacing Aspect Markers: Because '出院' is a separable verb, placing '了' at the very end ('出院了') is common for 'has happened.' However, if you add a duration, like 'three days after being discharged,' you must put the '了' after '出': '出院三天后' is correct, but '出了院三天后' is more precise in some contexts. Beginners often forget they can split the word.

Incorrect: 他明天出院医院。
Correct: 他明天出院。

Another error is confusing '出院' with '下班' (xiàbān - to get off work) or '回家' (huíjiā - to go home). While someone who is '出院' is likely '回家', the words are not interchangeable. '出院' specifically refers to the medical release. If a doctor is leaving the hospital after their shift, they '下班', they do not '出院'. Only patients '出院'. This is a nuance that reflects the status of the person in the building.

Incorrect: 我在医院出院了。(I discharged in the hospital - sounds like you did the action to the hospital).
Correct: 我出院了。

Furthermore, learners sometimes use '出院' when they mean 'outpatient'. An outpatient is '门诊病人' (ménzhěn bìngrén). If you just saw a doctor and left, you didn't '出院' because you were never '住院' (admitted). This distinction is vital for accurate communication with medical staff or insurance agents. Lastly, avoid using '出院' for other institutions like schools or prisons. For schools, use '毕业' (graduation) or '离校' (leave school); for prisons, use '出狱' (chūyù).

Confusion with '出局' (chūjú): Sometimes students mix up '出院' with '出局' (out of the game/eliminated) because of the shared '出'. Make sure to associate '院' with the medical building.

To avoid these mistakes, always remember: '出院' is a self-contained action of a patient. It doesn't need '医院' as an object, it can be split by '了' or '过', and it is strictly for hospital discharge.

While 出院 (chūyuàn) is the standard term for being discharged, several other words in Chinese describe similar or related states. Understanding the nuances between these can help you sound more like a native speaker and better understand medical contexts. The most direct comparison is with 离院 (líyuàn). While '出院' is the formal administrative discharge, '离院' literally means 'leaving the hospital grounds.' You might '离院' for a few hours to get lunch, but you only '出院' when your stay is officially over.

出院 vs. 康复 (kāngfù): '康复' means to recover or rehabilitate. You can '出院' without being fully '康复' (e.g., you go home to continue resting). However, they are often used together in the phrase '康复出院' (discharged after recovery).
出院 vs. 痊愈 (quányù): '痊愈' is a more formal, medical term meaning 'completely cured.' A doctor might write '痊愈出院' on a report if the illness is 100% gone. '出院' is the action, '痊愈' is the state of health.

虽然他已经出院了，但离完全康复还需要一段时间。(Although he has been discharged, it will still take some time before full recovery.)

Another term you might encounter is 转院 (zhuǎnyuàn). This means to transfer to another hospital. In this case, the patient is '出院' from the first hospital but immediately '住院' in the second. In legal or insurance documents, you might see 出院小结 (chūyuàn xiǎojié), which is the discharge summary. A less formal way to talk about leaving the hospital in certain regional dialects might be '出医' or '回家养病', but '出院' remains the most universally understood and appropriate term.

病人要求自动出院。(The patient requested a voluntary discharge / to leave against medical advice.)

In a broader health context, 出院 is often contrasted with 门诊 (ménzhěn). '门诊' refers to outpatient services. If a patient is never admitted to a ward, they can't '出院'; they just '看完了' (finished seeing the doctor). For those who are terminally ill, the alternative to '出院' might be '临终关怀' (hospice care), which is a different institutional path altogether. When discussing the end of a hospital stay, '出院' is the most positive and common way to describe the event.

Synonym Table

办完手续 (Bàn wán shǒuxù): Finish procedures (often implies discharge).
离开医院 (Líkāi yīyuàn): Physically leave the hospital (less formal).
回家 (Huíjiā): Go home (the result of discharge).

Understanding these alternatives allows for more precise communication. While '出院' will get you through 99% of situations, knowing when someone is '转院' (transferring) or '康复' (recovering) provides a much richer picture of their health journey.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, '院' often referred to high-level government offices (like the Hanlin Academy). Leaving such an office was '出院'. Only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries did it become the standard term for leaving a modern hospital.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tʃuː jwæn/

US /tʃuː jwæn/

Primary stress on the second syllable 'yuàn' in common speech, though both syllables are distinct.

Rhymes With

书院 (shūyuàn) 法院 (fǎyuàn) 学院 (xuéyuàn) 入院 (rùyuàn) 剧院 (jùyuàn) 住院 (zhùyuàn) 庭院 (tíngyuàn) 画院 (huàyuàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chū' with a rising tone instead of a high level tone.
Mispronouncing 'yuàn' as 'yán' or 'yūn'.
Failing to aspirate the 'ch' in 'chū'.
Pronouncing 'u' in 'chū' too short.
Mumbling the 'n' ending in 'yuàn'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Characters are relatively simple (A2 level).

Writing 3/5

Writing '院' can be tricky for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but watch the tones.

Listening 2/5

Commonly heard in daily life and TV.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

出院医院医生病

Learn Next

住院手续结算康复证明

Advanced

自动出院出院小结病床周转率医患关系

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

他出了三次院 (He was discharged three times).

Aspect marker '了' after verb

他已经出了院 (He has [already] been discharged).

Time before Verb

他明天出院 (He is discharged tomorrow).

Preposition '从' for source

从医院出院 (Discharged from the hospital).

Resultative Complement '完'

办完手续 (Finish handling the procedures).

Examples by Level

他今天出院了。

He was discharged today.

Subject + Time + Verb + 了

我明天出院。

I am being discharged tomorrow.

Future intent with time word.

爷爷出院了吗？

Has Grandpa been discharged?

Question with 吗.

他不出院。

He is not being discharged.

Negation with 不.

你想出院吗？

Do you want to be discharged?

Using the auxiliary verb 想 (want).

她出院回家了。

She was discharged and went home.

Serial verb construction.

医生说，出院吧。

The doctor said, 'Be discharged.'

Imperative with 吧.

我们去接他出院。

We are going to pick him up from the hospital.

Verb phrase 接...出院.

他已经出了院了。

He has already been discharged.

Separated verb with 了...了 pattern.

办完手续就可以出院。

You can be discharged after finishing the procedures.

Condition with 办完手续.

他出过两次院。

He has been discharged twice.

Separated verb with frequency '两次'.

你什么时候办出院？

When are you handling the discharge?

出院 used as an object for 办.

医生不让他出院。

The doctor doesn't let him be discharged.

Pivotal sentence with 让.

出院以后要多休息。

Rest more after being discharged.

Time clause with 以后.

他还没出院呢。

He hasn't been discharged yet.

Negation with 还没...呢.

我想早点出院。

I want to be discharged earlier.

Adverbial 早点 before the verb.

他从这家医院出院了。

He was discharged from this hospital.

Prepositional phrase 从...出院.

病人康复出院了。

The patient recovered and was discharged.

Set phrase 康复出院.

请带好你的出院证。

Please bring your discharge certificate.

Noun compound 出院证.

出院手续比较复杂。

Discharge procedures are quite complicated.

出院 modifying 手续.

他虽然出院了，但还要吃药。

Although he is discharged, he still needs to take medicine.

Conjunction 虽然...但.

你是哪天出的院？

Which day were you discharged?

是...的 construction for emphasis.

医生准予他明天出院。

The doctor permitted him to be discharged tomorrow.

Formal verb 准予.

出院小结上写得很清楚。

It is written clearly on the discharge summary.

Noun phrase 出院小结.

由于床位紧张，他被迫提前出院。

Due to a shortage of beds, he was forced to be discharged early.

Passive-like structure with 被迫.

出院后，他需要进行物理治疗。

After discharge, he needs to undergo physical therapy.

Post-discharge requirement.

家属正在为他办理出院结算。

The family is handling the discharge settlement for him.

Formal term 出院结算.

他因为伤口感染再次入院，刚出院不久。

He was re-admitted due to wound infection and just got discharged not long ago.

Contrasting 入院 and 出院.

这份文件是你的出院指导。

This document is your discharge instructions.

Noun compound 出院指导.

他坚持要自动出院，医生也没办法。

He insisted on leaving against medical advice, and the doctor could do nothing.

Term 自动出院 (AMA).

保险公司需要出院证明的原件。

The insurance company needs the original discharge certificate.

Noun compound 出院证明.

出院日期对报销非常重要。

The discharge date is very important for reimbursement.

Subject as a noun phrase.

医院通过提高出院率来缓解床位压力。

The hospital relieves bed pressure by increasing the discharge rate.

Abstract noun 出院率.

出院小结是病历资料中不可或缺的一部分。

The discharge summary is an indispensable part of medical records.

Formal academic tone.

医生在出院前对他进行了全面的评估。

The doctor conducted a comprehensive assessment of him before discharge.

Formal verb 进行...评估.

该政策旨在确保病人在出院后能获得社区支持。

The policy aims to ensure patients can obtain community support after discharge.

Policy-oriented language.

由于病情反复，他的出院计划被推迟了。

Due to recurring illness, his discharge plan was postponed.

Passive voice with 被.

出院结算过程中的差错可能导致医患纠纷。

Errors during the discharge settlement process can lead to doctor-patient disputes.

Formal noun phrase 出院结算过程.

他在出院时收到了一份详细的康复计划。

He received a detailed recovery plan upon discharge.

Time phrase 出院时.

自动出院往往意味着病人放弃了后续的院内治疗。

Leaving against medical advice often means the patient has given up subsequent in-hospital treatment.

Complex logical statement.

出院标准的制定应兼顾医疗安全与资源效率。

The formulation of discharge standards should balance medical safety and resource efficiency.

Highly formal/Academic.

对于临终病人，出院往往意味着回归家庭的慰藉。

For terminal patients, discharge often means returning to the comfort of the family.

Philosophical/Sociological context.

院方需对出院后病人的随访工作负起责任。

The hospital must take responsibility for the follow-up work of patients after discharge.

Administrative responsibility.

出院小结的规范化书写是提升医疗质量的关键环节。

Standardized writing of discharge summaries is a key link in improving medical quality.

Professional medical management.

在某些极端情况下，强制出院可能会引发伦理争议。

In some extreme cases, forced discharge may trigger ethical controversies.

Legal/Ethical discussion.

病人出院后的再入院率是衡量医疗水平的重要指标。

The readmission rate of patients after discharge is an important indicator of medical standards.

Statistical terminology.

他因未能及时结清费用而无法正常办理出院。

He was unable to handle discharge normally because he failed to settle the fees in time.

Complex causal relationship.

出院不仅是治疗的终点，更是长期健康管理的起点。

Discharge is not only the end of treatment but also the starting point of long-term health management.

Rhetorical structure 不仅是...更是.

Common Collocations

办理出院

康复出院

出院手续

出院证明

出院小结

提前出院

准予出院

出院日期

自动出院

出院结算

Common Phrases

快出院了

— About to be discharged soon.

他恢复得很好，快出院了。

刚出院

— Just recently discharged.

他刚出院，身体还很虚弱。

还没出院

— Not yet discharged.

他还在打针，还没出院。

什么时候出院？

— When are you being discharged?

你什么时候出院？我去接你。

想出院

— Want to be discharged.

他在医院住腻了，很想出院。

准时出院

— Discharged on time.

如果一切顺利，他能准时出院。

无法出院

— Unable to be discharged.

因为费用问题，他暂时无法出院。

接人出院

— Pick someone up from the hospital.

我爸爸今天去接爷爷出院。

出院后的护理

— Post-discharge care.

出院后的护理非常关键。

出院通知单

— Discharge notice.

护士给了我一张出院通知单。

Often Confused With

出院 vs 下班

Doctors '下班' (leave work), patients '出院' (leave hospital stay).

出院 vs 离院

General leaving of grounds vs. official medical discharge.

出院 vs 毕业

Leaving school vs. leaving hospital.

Idioms & Expressions

"康复出院"

— To recover health and leave the hospital.

经过一个月的治疗，他终于康复出院了。

Neutral

"起死回生"

— To rise from the dead (metaphorically, a miraculous recovery leading to discharge).

医生的妙手让他起死回生，顺利出院。

Literary

"化险为夷"

— To turn danger into safety.

手术很成功，他化险为夷，准备出院。

Formal

"平平安安"

— Safe and sound (often used when someone leaves the hospital).

只要能平平安安出院，比什么都强。

Informal

"大病初愈"

— Just recovered from a serious illness.

他大病初愈，刚出院不宜劳累。

Formal

"如释重负"

— As if a heavy burden has been lifted (how one feels upon discharge).

办完出院手续，他感到如释重负。

Neutral

"谢天谢地"

— Thank God (common reaction to a discharge).

谢天谢地，你终于可以出院了。

Informal

"身体健康"

— Good health (the goal of discharge).

祝你出院后身体健康。

Neutral

"安然无恙"

— Safe and sound / no harm.

检查结果显示他安然无恙，可以出院。

Formal

"重获新生"

— To gain a new life (after a major surgery and discharge).

这次出院对他来说像是重获新生。

Literary

Easily Confused

出院 vs 住院

Opposite meanings with the same second character.

住院 is entering/staying; 出院 is leaving.

他住院一周后出院了。

出院 vs 入院

Both involve '院'.

入院 is the formal entry process.

入院手续和出院手续都很复杂。

出院 vs 出局

Both start with '出'.

出局 is for games/competitions.

他出局了，不是出院了。

出院 vs 出狱

Both mean leaving an institution.

出狱 is specifically for prison.

他刑满出狱，不是出院。

出院 vs 门诊

Both are hospital terms.

门诊 is for outpatients; they don't '出院'.

我只是看门诊，不需要出院。

Sentence Patterns

S + Time + 出院

我明天出院。

S + 办 + 出院手续

他在办出院手续。

S + 从 + Place + 出院

他从市医院出院了。

S + 康复 + 出院

病人已经康复出院。

S + 准予 + 出院

医生准予他出院。

S + 自动 + 出院

他坚持要自动出院。

提高/降低 + 出院率

我们要提高出院率。

出院 + 是...起点

出院是健康管理的起点。

Word Family

Nouns

出院证 (Discharge certificate)

出院小结 (Discharge summary)

出院手续 (Discharge procedures)

Verbs

住院 (To be hospitalized)

入院 (To be admitted)

转院 (To transfer hospitals)

医生 (Doctor)

护士 (Nurse)

病房 (Ward)

康复 (Recovery)

医药费 (Medical fees)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in medical and family contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '出院医院' → 从医院出院 / 出院
Redundant use of 'hospital'.
Saying '去出院' → 办出院 / 出院
You don't 'go' to discharge; it's the act of leaving.
Confusing with '下班' → 医生下班了
Staff leave work, patients leave the hospital stay.
Forgetting '了' in past context → 他昨天出院了
Completed actions usually need an aspect marker.
Using for outpatients → 看完了 / 拿药了
Outpatients don't have a 'stay' to be discharged from.

Tips

Separable Verb Rule

Remember that you can put '了' in the middle: '出了院'.

No 'Goodbye'

Don't say '再见' to doctors; say '谢谢' instead.

Keep the Summary

The '出院小结' is vital for insurance and future visits.

Opposites

Always learn '出院' alongside '住院' to remember both.

Character Tip

The '院' character has the '阝' (left mound) radical.

Tone Accuracy

Ensure the 4th tone on 'yuàn' is strong and sharp.

Patient Only

Only use this for people who stayed overnight in a bed.

Helping Out

Offering to '接人出院' is a very kind gesture in China.

Official Documents

Look for '准予出院' on official medical stamps.

News Keywords

If you hear '人数' after '出院', it means 'number of people discharged'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'CHOO' (like a train exiting) and 'YUAN' (the currency or a round building). You are taking a train out of the round hospital building.

Visual Association

Imagine a patient in a wheelchair being pushed through the big double doors of a hospital towards a waiting car.

Word Web

医院 (Hospital) 病人 (Patient) 手续 (Procedures) 回家 (Go home) 健康 (Health) 医生 (Doctor) 病床 (Sickbed) 结算 (Settlement)

Challenge

Try to use '出院' in a sentence with the word '手续' (procedures) and '明天' (tomorrow).

Word Origin

The term is a compound of '出' (exit) and '院' (institution/hospital). '出' is an ancient character depicting a foot coming out of a container or cave. '院' originally referred to a walled enclosure or courtyard.

Original meaning: To leave a walled courtyard or a government office.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing '出院' with terminally ill patients, as it might imply they are being sent home for hospice care rather than recovery.

In English, we say 'discharged' (formal) or 'get out of the hospital' (informal). '出院' covers both.

Medical dramas like 'The Bond' often feature emotional '出院' scenes. News reports on COVID-19 survivors frequently used the term '康复出院'. Common in health insurance policy documents in China.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the hospital counter

我想办出院手续
在哪里结算？
需要出院证吗？
发票在哪里领？

Talking to a doctor

我什么时候能出院？
出院后要注意什么？
还要吃药吗？
需要复查吗？

Talking to family

爷爷今天出院
去接他出院
准备点好吃的
终于出院了

Insurance claim

出院证明原件
出院日期
住院费用明细
报销比例

Workplace

他还没出院
请假条
出院后回来上班
身体恢复了吗？

Conversation Starters

"听说你出院了，身体感觉怎么样？ (I heard you were discharged, how do you feel?)"

"医生有没有说你什么时候可以出院？ (Did the doctor say when you can be discharged?)"

"办出院手续麻烦吗？需要我帮忙吗？ (Is handling the discharge troublesome? Do you need help?)"

"出院以后你打算去哪里庆祝一下？ (Where do you plan to celebrate after discharge?)"

"你出院小结上写的注意事项你都看明白了吗？ (Do you understand the precautions on your discharge summary?)"

Journal Prompts

描述你或你的家人出院的那一天。心情是怎么样的？ (Describe the day you or a family member was discharged. How was the mood?)

为什么办理出院手续在一些医院会比较慢？ (Why are discharge procedures slow in some hospitals?)

出院后，你认为最重要的三件事是什么？ (After discharge, what do you think are the three most important things?)

如果你是医生，你会根据什么标准让病人出院？ (If you were a doctor, what criteria would you use to let a patient be discharged?)

写一段关于‘康复出院’的短文。 (Write a short essay about 'recovering and being discharged'.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is incorrect. '院' already represents '医院'. You should just say '他出院了' or '他从医院出院了'.

'出院了' is a general statement that the event happened. '出了院' puts more emphasis on the completion of the action, often used in sequences like '出了院以后'.

Yes, in modern Chinese, it specifically refers to medical institutions. For schools, we use '毕业' or '离校'.

It is called '出院小结' (chūyuàn xiǎojié).

It is primarily a verb, but it can function as a noun in phrases like '办出院' (do the discharge).

Only if the doctor was a patient. If the doctor is just finishing their shift, they '下班' (xiàbān).

It means 'voluntary discharge' or leaving against medical advice.

Usually, yes, if the discharge has already happened or is definitely decided: '他出院了'.

You can say '出院证明' (chūyuàn zhèngmíng) or '出院手续文件'.

Because '再见' means 'see you again,' implying you'll be sick and back in the hospital soon.