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B1 verb #8,000 most common 9 min read

献血

xiànxuè Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 献血 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 献血 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to understand that '献血' means 'to give blood to help people.' You might see this word on a big red bus in a Chinese city. You don't need to worry about the grammar of splitting the word yet. Just remember: '献' (give) + '血' (blood). If you want to say you are doing it, you can say '我去献血' (I go to donate blood). It is a good word to know because blood donation centers are very common landmarks in Chinese shopping areas. Think of it as a 'helping' word. You might see a heart symbol nearby. If someone asks '你会献血吗？' they are asking if you can or will donate blood. At this level, focus on recognizing the characters and the basic meaning of helping others through a medical gift.

At the A2 level, you should begin to recognize '献血' as a Verb-Object (VO) construction. This means the word is made of an action (献 - to offer) and a thing (血 - blood). You can start using simple sentences like '他想献血' (He wants to donate blood) or '这里可以献血' (You can donate blood here). You should also learn the word for the donation bus, '献血车' (xiànxiě chē), as you will see these frequently. You might also encounter the phrase '献血证' (xiànxiě zhèng), which is the certificate you get after donating. At this level, you should be able to understand a simple sign that says '欢迎献血' (Welcome to donate blood). You are starting to see how '献' is used in other words like '贡献' (contribution), which helps you understand the 'giving' nature of the word.

At the B1 level (Intermediate), you need to master the grammar of '献血'. Since it is a VO compound, you must learn how to insert words in the middle. For example, instead of saying '献血了两次,' you should say '献了两次血' (donated blood twice). You should also be able to use '献血' in the context of health and social responsibility. For instance, '献血对身体没有坏处' (Donating blood is not harmful to the body). You will likely hear this word in school or office announcements. You should also understand the difference between '献血' and '输血' (transfusion). At this level, you can participate in a basic conversation about whether you have donated blood before and how you felt afterward (e.g., '献血以后要多喝水' - You should drink more water after donating blood).

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '献血' in formal discussions about public health and volunteerism. You should understand the term '无偿献血' (voluntary non-remunerated blood donation) and be able to discuss the laws or social benefits surrounding it. You can use more complex structures, such as '积极响应献血号召' (actively respond to the call for blood donation). You should also be aware of the two pronunciations of '血' (xuè vs xiě) and know that 'xiě' is the standard for spoken '献血'. You might read articles about blood shortages ('血库告急') or the history of blood donation in China. At this level, you should be able to express opinions on why people might be hesitant to donate and use '献血' as a modifier in phrases like '献血制度' (blood donation system).

At the C1 level, your understanding of '献血' should include its nuance in legal, medical, and ethical contexts. You should be able to read and summarize the '献血法' (Blood Donation Law) and discuss the evolution of blood donation from a paid system to a fully voluntary one in China. You should be familiar with idiomatic or high-level collocations like '踊跃献血' (enthusiastically donating blood) and '奉献爱心' (dedicating love/compassion). You can participate in debates about the 'mutual aid blood donation' (互助献血) system and its recent reforms. Your use of the word should be precise, distinguishing it from '采血' (collection) or '供血' (supply) in technical reports. You should also understand the cultural implications of 'blood' in Chinese society and how '献血' challenges or fits into traditional views on bodily integrity.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '献血'. You can analyze the rhetoric used in national blood donation campaigns and understand how '献血' is framed as a component of 'Socialist Spiritual Civilization.' You can navigate complex medical documents where '献血' is discussed alongside terms like '血浆站' (plasma stations) or '血液成分' (blood components). You understand the subtle sociopolitical implications of blood donation rates in different regions and can discuss international comparisons of blood donation ethics using '献血' as a base. You are also sensitive to the historical context of 'blood selling' (卖血) and how it contrasts with the modern '献血' movement. Your mastery allows you to use the term in any register, from poetic descriptions of sacrifice to rigorous academic analysis of hematology and public policy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

献血 in 30 Seconds

献血 (xiànxiě) is the standard Chinese term for donating blood, widely used in Mainland China in both casual and formal medical contexts.
It is a Verb-Object (VO) compound, meaning '献' (to offer) and '血' (blood) can be separated by grammar markers like '了' or frequency words.
Culturally, it is associated with 'Great Love' and social responsibility, often promoted through mobile blood donation buses (献血车) in urban centers.
Commonly paired with '无偿' (wúcháng) to mean voluntary, unpaid donation, which is the legal and ethical standard in modern Chinese society.

The term 献血 (xiànxiě) is a profound verb in the Chinese language that translates directly to 'to donate blood.' However, its linguistic roots carry a weight of altruism and civic duty that goes beyond a simple medical transaction. The first character, 献 (xiàn), means to 'dedicate,' 'offer,' or 'present' something with respect, often to a superior or for a noble cause. The second character, 血 (xiě/xuè), simply means blood. Together, they form the act of giving one's life force to save another. In modern China, this term is almost exclusively used in the context of voluntary, non-remunerated donation, known formally as 无偿献血 (wúcháng xiànxiě).

Core Concept: The act of voluntarily providing blood for medical use, typically at a hospital or mobile blood center.
Social Context: Often seen as a rite of passage for university students or a demonstration of social responsibility for government employees and the general public.

When you walk through busy commercial districts in Chinese cities like Beijing or Shanghai, you will frequently encounter 献血车 (xiànxiě chē)—mobile blood donation buses. These are the primary sites where the verb '献血' comes to life. People use this word when discussing their health, their contributions to society, or when hospitals issue urgent calls for specific blood types during shortages.

他每年都会去献血两次，因为他想帮助那些需要救治的人。(He goes to donate blood twice every year because he wants to help those in need of medical treatment.)

Culturally, the act of 献血 is tied to the concept of 'Great Love' (大爱). It is not merely a medical procedure but a manifestation of human connection. For learners, understanding this word requires recognizing its status as a Verb-Object (VO) compound. This means that while '献血' is a single concept in English ('to donate blood'), in Chinese, '献' is the action and '血' is the object. This structure affects how you use it with duration or frequency markers.

这是我第一次参加无偿献血。(This is my first time participating in voluntary blood donation.)

The term is also used in medical policy discussions. For example, the 'Blood Donation Law of the People's Republic of China' (中华人民共和国献血法) provides the legal framework for blood collection. This highlights that '献血' is a formal, recognized term used in both daily conversation and legal/medical documentation. Whether you are a student talking to friends or a professional discussing healthcare policy, '献血' is the indispensable term for this life-saving act.

Register: Neutral to Formal. It is appropriate for all standard communication contexts.

Using 献血 (xiànxiě) correctly requires an understanding of Chinese grammar patterns, specifically the Verb-Object (VO) structure. Unlike the English transitive verb 'to donate,' which can take 'blood' as a direct object, '献血' already contains the object '血' (blood). Therefore, you cannot say '献血血' or '献血我的血.' Instead, you treat it as a complete action.

Pattern 1: Simple Action: Subject + (Time/Place) + 献血.
Example: 我明天去献血。(I am going to donate blood tomorrow.)

When you want to specify for whom the blood is being donated, you use the preposition 为 (wèi) or 给 (gěi). This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who might try to place the recipient after the verb. In Chinese, the recipient must come before the verb '献血'.

很多志愿者积极为地震灾区的人民献血。(Many volunteers actively donated blood for the people in the earthquake-stricken area.)

Because '献血' is a VO compound, frequency and duration markers are often placed between '献' and '血'. For example, if you want to say 'donated blood once,' you would say 献了一次血. This 'splitting' of the verb is a hallmark of intermediate Chinese grammar (B1-B2 levels).

Pattern 2: Frequency/Duration: 献 + (Number + Measure Word) + 血.
Example: 他献过三次血。(He has donated blood three times.)

You can also use '献血' as a noun or a gerund-like phrase when describing activities or centers. For instance, '献血点' (blood donation point) or '献血活动' (blood donation activity). In these cases, it acts as a modifier for the following noun.

我们在学校的献血点排队。(We are lining up at the school's blood donation point.)

Finally, '献血' is often paired with the adverb 踊跃 (yǒngyuè), which means 'eagerly' or 'enthusiastically.' This collocation is very common in news reports describing the public's response to a blood drive. Understanding these nuanced pairings helps you sound more like a native speaker.

Advanced Usage: 献血光荣 (xiànxiě guāngróng) - 'Donating blood is glorious.' This is a common slogan found on posters and certificates.

To truly master 献血 (xiànxiě), you need to know where it appears in the real world. In China, blood donation is a highly organized public service, and the vocabulary surrounding it is ubiquitous in specific urban and institutional settings.

Public Service Announcements (PSAs): On subways, buses, and elevators, you will see posters with the slogan '点滴奉献，终成大海' (Small drops of contribution eventually become an ocean), encouraging citizens to '献血'.

University campuses are perhaps the most common place to hear this word. Every semester, the Red Cross (红十字会) organizes drives. Students will say to each other, '你要去献血吗？' (Are you going to donate blood?) or '我今天献血了，有点晕' (I donated blood today, I feel a bit dizzy). It is a topic of conversation that involves pride and shared experience.

广播：各位同学，献血车现在停在图书馆门前，欢迎大家踊跃参加。(Announcement: Students, the blood donation bus is now parked in front of the library; everyone is welcome to participate enthusiastically.)

In the news, especially after natural disasters like earthquakes or floods, the word '献血' dominates the headlines. Reporters will describe the '献血长龙' (long queues of people waiting to donate blood), emphasizing the unity of the nation. You will hear phrases like '血库告急' (blood bank emergency) followed by an appeal for '献血'.

Workplaces also use this term. Large state-owned enterprises (SOEs) or government offices often organize annual blood drives. Employees might receive a day off or a small 'nutrition allowance' (营养补贴) for their '献血' act. In this context, it is discussed in a professional, administrative tone.

Hospital Settings: Doctors might ask a patient's family, '家属有没有献过血的？' (Are there any family members who have donated blood?) because having a '献血证' (certificate) can sometimes help with the costs or availability of blood for surgery.

Finally, digital spaces like WeChat and Weibo are full of '献血' content. People post photos of their '献血证' or the small gifts (like umbrellas or milk) they receive after donating to encourage their friends to do the same. This social media presence makes '献血' a word that bridges the gap between official medical terminology and trendy social activism.

Learning 献血 (xiànxiě) involves navigating several common pitfalls that English speakers often fall into. These mistakes usually stem from direct translation or a misunderstanding of the Verb-Object (VO) structure.

Mistake 1: Treating it as a Transitive Verb: Incorrect: 我献血了我的血。(I donated my blood.)
Correct: 我献了血。(I donated blood.)
Explanation: '血' is already the object. Adding another '血' or '我的血' is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

Another frequent error involves the placement of the recipient. In English, we say 'I donated blood to the hospital.' Learners often try to translate this as '我献血给医院.' While this is sometimes understood, the more natural and grammatically sound structure in Chinese puts the recipient before the verb.

错误：他献血给红十字会。 (Incorrect: He donated blood to the Red Cross.)
正确：他向红十字会献血。 (Correct: He donated blood to the Red Cross.)

Pronunciation is also a hurdle. The character '血' has two pronunciations: xuè (formal/literary) and xiě (colloquial). While 'xiànxuè' is technically correct in formal reading, almost everyone says 'xiànxiě' in daily conversation. Using 'xuè' in a casual setting can make you sound like a textbook or a news anchor, which might be slightly awkward.

Confusing '献血' (donate blood) with '输血' (shūxuè - blood transfusion) is a serious but common mistake. '献血' is the act of giving, while '输血' is the act of receiving or the medical process of transferring blood into a patient. If you tell a doctor you want to '输血' when you mean to '献血,' they will think you are the one in medical distress!

Mistake 2: Confusion with '捐血': While '捐血' (juānxiě) is used in other Chinese-speaking regions, using it in mainland China might sound a bit foreign, though it is perfectly understandable. Stick to '献血' for mainland contexts.

To expand your medical and altruistic vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 献血 (xiànxiě) with its synonyms and related terms. Each word has a specific nuance and context where it is most appropriate.

献血 (xiànxiě) vs. 捐血 (juānxiě): 献血: The standard term in Mainland China. Carries a sense of 'offering' or 'dedication.'
捐血: Common in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia. Literally 'donate blood.' Both are interchangeable in meaning but differ by region.

Another important distinction is between '献血' and 捐献 (juānxiàn). While '献血' is specific to blood, '捐献' is a broader term used for donating organs, money, or large assets. You would use '捐献' for bone marrow (捐献骨髓) or body parts (捐献器官).

虽然他不能献血，但他捐献了很多钱给医院。(Although he cannot donate blood, he donated a lot of money to the hospital.)

In a medical setting, you might encounter 采血 (cǎixiě). This means 'to collect blood' or 'to take a blood sample.' This is what the nurse does to you. '献血' is your action (the donor), while '采血' is the professional's action (the medical staff).

Technical Alternatives

供血 (gōngxuè): To supply blood (often used for blood banks or biological functions).
验血 (yànxiě): To have a blood test.
抽血 (chōuxiě): To draw blood (more colloquial than 采血).

Finally, consider the antonyms or opposite concepts. While there isn't a single word for 'refusing to donate,' the term 卖血 (màixiě)—selling blood—is the conceptual opposite of '无偿献血' (voluntary donation). In modern China, '卖血' is illegal and carries a very negative social and historical connotation, making '献血' the only socially acceptable way to discuss providing blood to others.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, blood was often used in '歃血为盟' (blood oaths), where participants drank or smeared blood to seal a pact. Modern '献血' has transformed this sacred, sometimes violent history into a peaceful act of medical charity.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃjɛn.ʃjɛ/

US /ʃjɛn.ʃjɛ/

Primary stress on the first syllable 'xiàn'.

Rhymes With

见解 (jiànjiě) 辩解 (biànjiě) 缓解 (huǎnjiě) 理解 (lǐjiě) 切 (qiè) 铁 (tiě) 写 (xiě) 解 (jiě)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xiě' as 'xuè' in casual speech (it's not wrong, just very formal).
Confusing the 'x' sound with 's' or 'sh'.
Failing to perform the falling-rising dip of the third tone in 'xiě'.
Pronouncing 'ian' in 'xiàn' like 'ann' in 'man' (it should be more like 'yen').
Misplacing the tones entirely.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Characters are moderately complex but very common.

Writing 4/5

The character '献' has many strokes and is hard to write from memory.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce once you know the 'x' sound.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, easy to recognize in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

血给医院帮助人

Learn Next

志愿者捐款慈善手术健康

Advanced

造血干细胞免疫系统血小板伦理公益

Grammar to Know

Verb-Object (VO) Splitting

献了一次血 (Donated blood once).

Directional Complements

献出血来 (To donate blood out).

Prepositional Phrases with 为/向

为灾区献血 (Donate blood for the disaster area).

Resultative Complements

献完血了 (Finished donating blood).

Adverbial Placement

积极地献血 (Actively donate blood).

Examples by Level

我想去献血。

I want to go donate blood.

Simple Subject + Verb structure.

他在哪里献血？

Where is he donating blood?

Question with '哪里'.

献血不疼。

Donating blood does not hurt.

Negative '不' before the verb.

这里可以献血吗？

Can I donate blood here?

Question with '吗'.

我们去献血吧。

Let's go donate blood.

Suggestion with '吧'.

献血是好事。

Donating blood is a good thing.

Using '是' to define the act.

他今天去献血了。

He went to donate blood today.

Past action with '了'.

老师也献血。

The teacher also donates blood.

Using '也' (also).

献血车就在超市门口。

The blood donation bus is right at the supermarket entrance.

Locational sentence with '在'.

他献过一次血。

He has donated blood once.

Verb-Object splitting with '过'.

献血以后要休息。

You need to rest after donating blood.

Using '以后' (after).

你要带身份证去献血。

You need to bring your ID card to donate blood.

Using '带' (to bring).

医生在帮他献血。

The doctor is helping him donate blood.

Continuous action with '在'.

我不怕献血。

I am not afraid of donating blood.

Using '怕' (afraid).

献血需要多长时间？

How long does it take to donate blood?

Question about duration.

我拿到了献血证。

I got the blood donation certificate.

Resultative complement '到了'.

为了帮助别人，他每年都去献血。

In order to help others, he goes to donate blood every year.

Using '为了' (for the purpose of).

这是我第一次献血，心里有点紧张。

This is my first time donating blood; I feel a bit nervous.

Describing feelings.

献血对身体健康有好处吗？

Is donating blood good for your health?

Structure '对...有好处'.

他在献血之前喝了很多水。

He drank a lot of water before donating blood.

Using '之前' (before).

学校组织了一次献血活动。

The school organized a blood donation activity.

Using '组织' (organize).

献了血之后，他觉得有点头晕。

After donating blood, he felt a bit dizzy.

VO splitting '献了血'.

很多大学生都踊跃参加献血。

Many university students enthusiastically participate in blood donation.

Using the adverb '踊跃' (enthusiastically).

如果你生病了，就不能献血。

If you are sick, you cannot donate blood.

Conditional '如果...就...'.

无偿献血是每个公民应尽的责任。

Voluntary blood donation is a responsibility every citizen should fulfill.

Formal register.

由于血库告急，医院呼吁大家献血。

Because the blood bank is in an emergency state, the hospital is calling for people to donate blood.

Using '由于' and '呼吁'.

他虽然年纪大了，但依然坚持献血。

Although he is old, he still insists on donating blood.

Concession with '虽然...但依然...'.

献血不仅能救人，还能促进血液循环。

Donating blood not only saves people but also promotes blood circulation.

Correlative '不仅...还...'.

在献血点，志愿者们正忙着登记信息。

At the blood donation point, volunteers are busy registering information.

Using '忙着' (busy doing).

献血法规定，献血者享有一定的优先权。

The Blood Donation Law stipulates that donors enjoy certain priorities.

Formal legal terminology.

他因为身体原因被拒绝献血。

He was rejected for blood donation due to physical reasons.

Passive voice with '被'.

这次献血活动得到了社会的广泛支持。

This blood donation activity received wide support from society.

Abstract noun phrase '广泛支持'.

政府通过各种渠道宣传无偿献血的重要性。

The government promotes the importance of voluntary blood donation through various channels.

Using '通过...渠道'.

献血事业的发展水平反映了一个社会的文明程度。

The development level of the blood donation cause reflects the degree of civilization of a society.

Complex subject and predicate.

有些民众对献血仍存在一定的误解和恐惧。

Some people still have certain misunderstandings and fears regarding blood donation.

Using '对...存在...误解'.

建立完善的献血激励机制是当务之急。

Establishing a complete blood donation incentive mechanism is a top priority.

Using the idiom '当务之急'.

献血者在用血时可以享受费用减免的政策。

Donors can enjoy the policy of cost reduction when they need to use blood.

Specific policy vocabulary.

他多年来累计献血量已经达到了数千毫升。

His cumulative blood donation volume over the years has reached several thousand milliliters.

Using '累计' (cumulative).

我们要坚决打击非法卖血，提倡科学献血。

We must resolutely crack down on illegal blood selling and advocate for scientific blood donation.

Contrastive sentence structure.

献血不仅是人道主义的体现，更是社会互助的表现。

Donating blood is not only an embodiment of humanitarianism but also an expression of social mutual aid.

Correlative '不仅是...更是...'.

完善献血法律体系对于保障临床用血安全至关重要。

Perfecting the blood donation legal system is crucial for ensuring the safety of clinical blood use.

Formal '对于...至关重要'.

在重大灾难面前，民众踊跃献血的义举令人动容。

In the face of major disasters, the righteous act of the public enthusiastically donating blood is touching.

High-level vocabulary '义举' and '动容'.

互助献血制度的废除标志着我国无偿献血向更高阶段迈进。

The abolition of the mutual aid blood donation system marks our country's voluntary blood donation moving toward a higher stage.

Using '标志着' (marks/signifies).

血液作为一种稀缺的生命资源，其献血过程必须受到严格监管。

As a scarce life resource, the blood donation process must be strictly regulated.

Appositive structure.

我们应深入探讨如何通过数字化手段优化献血流程。

We should deeply explore how to optimize the blood donation process through digital means.

Using '深入探讨' and '优化'.

献血者的无私奉献构成了医疗救治体系中不可或缺的一环。

The selfless dedication of blood donors constitutes an indispensable link in the medical treatment system.

Metaphorical language '不可或缺的一环'.

社会舆论在引导公众参与献血方面发挥着举足轻重的作用。

Social public opinion plays a decisive role in guiding the public to participate in blood donation.

Idiom '举足轻重' (decisive/pivotal).

针对特定血型短缺的精准献血动员已成为现代血站的常规操作。

Precision blood donation mobilization targeting specific blood type shortages has become a routine operation for modern blood stations.

Highly technical and modern terminology.

Common Collocations

无偿献血

踊跃献血

献血车

献血证

献血点

义务献血

献血法

献血者

成功献血

定期献血

Common Phrases

献血光荣

— Donating blood is glorious; a common slogan.

墙上写着‘献血光荣’。

献血救人

— Donate blood to save people.

献血救人是美德。

献血感言

— Donor's testimonial or thoughts.

他在网上写下了献血感言。

献血冠军

— Someone who has donated blood many times.

他是我们城市的献血冠军。

献血禁忌

— Counter-indications for blood donation.

献血前要了解献血禁忌。

献血小板

— To donate platelets (specifically).

他这次是去献血小板。

献血英雄

— Blood donation hero.

表彰这些献血英雄。

献血纪念品

— Souvenirs given after donation.

这是我拿到的献血纪念品。

献血流程

— The process of donating blood.

献血流程非常简单。

献血知识

— Knowledge about blood donation.

普及献血知识很重要。

Often Confused With

献血 vs 输血

Receiving blood vs. giving blood.

献血 vs 捐款

Donating money vs. donating blood.

献血 vs 抽血

Getting blood drawn for a test vs. donating it.

Idioms & Expressions

"热血沸腾"

— To be fired up with enthusiasm; literally 'hot blood boiling.'

听了他的演讲，我热血沸腾。

Literary/Common

"血浓于水"

— Blood is thicker than water.

亲情永远是最重要的，血浓于水。

Common

"呕心沥血"

— To work one's heart out; literally 'vomit heart and drain blood.'

老师为学生呕心沥血。

Formal

"血气方刚"

— Full of youthful vigor.

他正是血气方刚的年纪。

Literary

"一腔热血"

— Full of enthusiasm or patriotic spirit.

他有一腔热血，想报效国家。

Literary

"血肉相连"

— As close as flesh and blood.

中朝两国人民血肉相连。

Formal

"血流成河"

— Blood flowing like a river (describing a massacre).

战争导致血流成河。

Literary

"血债血偿"

— Blood for blood; a debt of blood must be paid in blood.

他们发誓要血债血偿。

Dramatic

"歃血为盟"

— To smear blood on the mouth as a sign of an oath.

古代英雄常歃血为盟。

Archaic

"狗血淋头"

— To be cursed or scolded severely.

他被老板骂得狗血淋头。

Slang

Easily Confused

献血 vs 输血

Both involve blood and medical procedures.

献血 is giving; 输血 is the transfer/receiving process.

他在献血，而病人在输血。

献血 vs 捐献

Both mean 'donate.'

捐献 is broader (organs, money); 献血 is specific to blood.

他捐献了器官，也经常献血。

献血 vs 采血

Both involve taking blood.

献血 is the donor's perspective; 采血 is the nurse's perspective.

护士在采血，志愿者在献血。

献血 vs 验血

Both involve blood.

验血 is for testing; 献血 is for saving others.

献血前需要先验血。

献血 vs 供血

Both mean providing blood.

供血 is often used for the source or supply chain.

心脏为全身供血。

Sentence Patterns

我想去献血。

他在[地点]献过血。

他在学校献过血。

献血对[名词]有好处。

献血对身体有好处。

献了[数量]次血。

他献了三次血。

为了[目标]，大家踊跃献血。

为了救人，大家踊跃献血。

通过献血，我们可以[结果]。

通过献血，我们可以传递爱心。

[名词]是献血事业不可或缺的一部分。

志愿者是献血事业不可或缺的一部分。

针对[情况]，呼吁民众献血。

针对血库告急的情况，呼吁民众献血。

Word Family

Nouns

献血者

献血证

献血车

血液

血库

Verbs

献

捐献

奉献

输血

采血

Adjectives

无偿的

踊跃的

光荣的

贫血的

红十字会

志愿者

救人

医院

血型

How to Use It

frequency

Common in urban environments and news.

Common Mistakes

我献血了我的血。 → 我献了血。
Redundancy: '血' is already the object of '献'.
他献血给医院。 → 他向医院献血。
Word order: The recipient usually comes before the verb with '向' or '为'.
献血了两次。 → 献了两次血。
VO splitting: Frequency markers must go between the verb and the object.
我想输血救人。 → 我想献血救人。
Word confusion: '输血' means receiving/transferring blood, '献血' means donating.
献血对我身体不好。 → 献血对我的身体没有坏处。
Nuance: Saying it's 'not bad' is more common than 'not good' in this medical context.

Tips

Split the VO

Always remember that 献血 is a verb-object compound. Put the '了' or frequency between '献' and '血' for natural-sounding Chinese.

Look for the Red Bus

If you are in a Chinese city, look for the '献血车'. It is a great real-life way to recognize the characters in context.

Learn the certificate

Knowing the term '献血证' (Blood Donation Certificate) is very useful as it is a common topic of pride among donors.

Spoken vs. Formal

Stick to 'xiě' for the second character when speaking. 'xuè' is mostly for formal reading or news broadcasts.

Preposition '为'

When donating for a cause, use '为' (wèi). For example, '为地震灾区献血' (Donate blood for the earthquake area).

Preparation

Before you 献血, make sure you have had enough sleep and a light meal. Do not donate on an empty stomach.

Volunteerism

献血 is a great way to meet local volunteers and engage in community service if you are living in China.

Contextual Clues

If you hear '爱心' (love/compassion) and '医院' (hospital) together, listen for '献血' as the central action.

Stroke Order

Practice the stroke order for '献'. It is complex, but the components are common in other high-level characters.

Don't say '卖血'

Never use '卖血' unless you are discussing illegal activities or history. It is highly offensive in a medical context.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Xian' as 'Send' and 'Xie' as 'She' (giving blood like a hero). 'Send her blood to save a life.'

Visual Association

A bright red bus (献血车) with a giant heart on the side, parked in a busy square.

Word Web

血型红十字会救命针头志愿者爱心健康证书

Challenge

Try to find a 献血 sign in a Chinese movie or news clip and identify the characters.

Word Origin

The term combines '献' (xiàn), which originally referred to ritual offerings of dogs or meat in ancient times, and '血' (xuè), pictographically representing a drop of blood in a sacrificial bowl.

Original meaning: To offer blood as a sacrifice or ritual act.

Sino-Tibetan / Chinese.

Cultural Context

Avoid confusing '献血' with '卖血' (selling blood), as the latter is a sensitive and illegal topic associated with the spread of HIV in certain rural areas in the past.

In the West, donation is often managed by the Red Cross or NHS. The process is similar, but the 'Blood Donation Certificate' (献血证) system in China is quite unique.

PRC Blood Donation Law (1998) World Blood Donor Day (June 14) campaigns in China The movie 'Love for Life' (最爱) which deals with the dark side of blood selling.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Campus

献血车在哪？
献血有补贴吗？
我献了200毫升。
有点头晕。

Hospital

急需AB型血。
我有献血证。
什么时候可以献血？
身体检查。

News Report

血库告急。
踊跃献血。
无偿献血法。
社会责任。

Social Media

打卡献血。
为爱逆行。
今天你献血了吗？
小红本拿到了。

Workplace

年度献血活动。
请假去献血。
公司福利。
身体不适。

Conversation Starters

"你以前献过血吗？ (Have you ever donated blood before?)"

"你觉得献血对身体有好处吗？ (Do you think donating blood is good for your health?)"

"如果你看到献血车，你会进去吗？ (If you see a blood donation bus, would you go in?)"

"在你的国家，献血的人多吗？ (In your country, are there many people who donate blood?)"

"献血以后应该注意什么？ (What should one pay attention to after donating blood?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你第一次献血的经历。如果你没献过，写写你的看法。(Write about your first blood donation experience. If you haven't, write your thoughts.)

讨论一下为什么无偿献血对社会很重要。(Discuss why voluntary blood donation is important for society.)

你认为政府应该如何鼓励更多人献血？(How do you think the government should encourage more people to donate blood?)

描述一下你在街上看到的献血车和志愿者。(Describe the blood donation buses and volunteers you see on the street.)

如果你有献血证，你会感到自豪吗？为什么？(If you had a blood donation certificate, would you feel proud? Why?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 献血 in China follows strict medical standards. All needles are single-use, and the process is monitored by professional medical staff from the Red Cross or local hospitals.

Yes, foreigners can donate blood. You usually need to bring your passport and have lived in China for a certain period. The process is the same as for locals.

It is a small red booklet given to donors. It records your donation history and can sometimes provide benefits, such as free blood for yourself or family members in the future.

It feels like a small pinch when the needle enters, similar to a regular blood test. Most people find it very manageable.

In China, for whole blood donation, you must wait at least 6 months between donations. For platelets, the waiting period is much shorter.

In mainland China, blood donation is '无偿' (non-remunerated). However, you may receive small gifts like milk, snacks, or souvenirs like umbrellas.

It is recommended to drink plenty of water and eat protein-rich foods like eggs or meat. Avoid heavy exercise for 24 hours.

Mobile blood buses are used to make donation more convenient for the public, especially in high-traffic areas like shopping malls and universities.

Usually, you must wait at least one year after getting a tattoo before you can donate blood in China to ensure there is no risk of infection.

Generally, the age range is 18 to 55 years old, though healthy regular donors may sometimes be allowed to donate up to age 60.