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A2 noun 11 min read

遗传病

yichuanbing

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 遗传病 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 遗传病 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know the very basics of 遗传病 (yíchuánbìng). Think of it as a 'family sickness' (家里的病). You might learn it when talking about family members. For example, if your father has a problem and you have the same problem, you can use the word '遗传' (inherit). At this stage, focus on the fact that it's a '病' (illness) that comes from your '爸爸' (dad) or '妈妈' (mom). You don't need to know the science, just that it's a special kind of sickness that doesn't come from germs, but from family. You can remember it as: 遗 (leave) + 传 (pass) + 病 (illness). It is an illness passed down from parents.

At the A2 level, you should be able to identify 遗传病 in a health context. You know that '遗传' means to pass things down through generations. You can use simple sentences like '这是遗传病' (This is a hereditary disease). You should understand that this word is different from '感冒' (cold) or '发烧' (fever) because you can't catch it from a friend. It is important for A2 learners to know that some diseases are '遗传的' (hereditary). You might see this word on a medical form at a hospital. If a doctor asks '你有遗传病吗？' (Do you have a hereditary disease?), you should be able to answer '有' (yes) or '没有' (no).

At the B1 level, you can describe 遗传病 in more detail and use it in discussions about health and family. You should know common collocations like '患有遗传病' (suffer from a hereditary disease) and '家族遗传病史' (family history of hereditary disease). You can explain that these diseases are '由基因决定的' (determined by genes). You might also encounter related terms like '色盲' (color blindness) as examples of 遗传病. You should be able to discuss the importance of '体检' (physical examination) to find out if someone has these risks. Your vocabulary is expanding to include the idea of '预防' (prevention) and '检查' (check-up) specifically for these conditions.

At the B2 level, you can use 遗传病 in professional or academic contexts. You understand the nuances between '遗传病' (hereditary disease) and '先天性疾病' (congenital disease). You can participate in debates about '基因技术' (gene technology) and how it affects the treatment of '罕见遗传病' (rare hereditary diseases). You are comfortable reading news articles about medical breakthroughs. You can use structures like '由于...引起' (caused by...) to explain the biological mechanism. You also understand the social implications in China, such as the '婚前检查' (pre-marital check-up) and how families view these conditions. You can use the word in formal writing with appropriate measure words and formal verbs like '携带' (carry).

At the C1 level, your understanding of 遗传病 is sophisticated. You can discuss the ethical dilemmas (伦理困境) associated with genetic screening and gene editing (如CRISPR技术). You can analyze the impact of '遗传病' on public health policy and insurance systems. You are familiar with specific types of inheritance, such as '隐性遗传' (recessive inheritance) and '显性遗传' (dominant inheritance). You can use the word metaphorically in literature or social commentary to discuss systemic issues that are 'inherited' like a disease. Your speech is precise, using terms like '常染色体' (autosome) and '致病基因' (pathogenic gene) alongside '遗传病' to provide a comprehensive medical explanation.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 遗传病. You can read complex medical journals and legal documents regarding '遗传病' without difficulty. You can engage in high-level academic research or professional medical consultation in Chinese. You understand the deep cultural connotations of 'bloodline' and 'heredity' in Chinese history and how they influence modern perceptions of '遗传病'. You can articulate the fine distinctions between '单基因遗传病' (single-gene disorders), '多基因遗传病' (polygenic disorders), and '染色体异常' (chromosomal abnormalities). Your ability to use the term spans from highly technical medical discourse to nuanced social and philosophical discussions about human nature and biological destiny.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

遗传病 in 30 Seconds

遗传病 (yíchuánbìng) refers to diseases caused by genetic abnormalities passed from parents to offspring, distinct from infectious or purely environmental diseases.
It is a formal medical term commonly used in hospitals, science education, and news reports regarding genetic research and prenatal health.
Key verbs used with this word include 患有 (suffer from), 携带 (carry), 遗传 (pass down), and 筛查 (screen/test).
Understanding this word is essential for discussing family medical history and modern biotechnological advancements in a Chinese context.

The term 遗传病 (yíchuánbìng) is a compound noun that literally translates to 'inherited illness.' In a biological and medical context, it refers to any disease or disorder that is caused by abnormalities in an individual's genetic material (DNA) and can be passed down from parents to their offspring. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating discussions about family history, healthcare, and modern biotechnology in Chinese-speaking environments.

Etymology: The word consists of three characters: 遗 (yí) meaning to leave behind or lose, 传 (chuán) meaning to pass on or transmit, and 病 (bìng) meaning disease. Together, '遗' and '传' form the word for 'heredity' or 'inheritance.'
Usage Context: You will encounter this word most frequently in medical settings, such as during a physical examination or when discussing medical history (病史). It is also a staple in scientific education and news reports concerning genetic research, CRISPR technology, and prenatal screenings.

医生询问他家族中是否有任何遗传病史。 (The doctor asked if there was any history of hereditary diseases in his family.)

In daily life, people might use this word with a certain level of sensitivity. Because genetic conditions are often perceived as beyond one's control, discussions about them require empathy. In modern China, with the rise of health consciousness, many young couples undergo 'pre-marital checkups' (婚检) specifically to screen for potential 遗传病 to ensure the health of future generations.

有些遗传病可以通过早期筛查来预防。 (Some hereditary diseases can be prevented through early screening.)

Scientific Nuance: Strictly speaking, '遗传病' covers a wide range, from single-gene disorders like color blindness (红绿色盲) to chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome (唐氏综合征). In academic discussions, it is often paired with '基因' (jīyīn - gene) or '染色体' (rǎnsètǐ - chromosome).

色盲是一种常见的遗传病。 (Color blindness is a common hereditary disease.)

Culturally, the concept of 'bloodline' (血统) has always been important in Chinese society. Historically, people looked at family health to judge the 'quality' of a potential marriage partner. Today, this traditional concern has evolved into a scientific approach where '遗传病' is managed through genetic counseling and advanced medical interventions, reflecting a shift from fatalism to proactive health management.

科学家们正在努力研究治愈这类遗传病的新方法。 (Scientists are working hard to research new methods to cure this type of hereditary disease.)

为了孩子的健康，他们决定做一次全面的遗传病检查。 (For the health of their child, they decided to do a comprehensive hereditary disease check.)

Social Impact: In social policy, the prevention of hereditary diseases is often linked to '优生优育' (yōushēng yōuyù), which means 'healthy birth and sound care.' This highlights how the term is not just medical but also tied to broader societal goals of population health.

Using 遗传病 correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and its common verbal pairings. In Chinese, diseases are often 'suffered from' (患有), 'carried' (携带), or 'passed on' (遗传). Here we will explore the syntactic patterns that will make your speech sound natural and professional.

Pattern 1: S + 患有 + 遗传病: This is the standard way to say someone 'has' or 'suffers from' a hereditary disease. 患有 (huànyǒu) is more formal than simply using 有 (yǒu).

他从小就患有一种罕见的遗传病。 (He has suffered from a rare hereditary disease since he was a child.)

The term '罕见' (hǎnjiàn - rare) is frequently paired with genetic disorders, as many hereditary conditions affect small percentages of the population. Another important verb is 携带 (xiédài - to carry), used when someone has the gene but might not show symptoms.

Pattern 2: S + 携带 + 遗传病基因: This specifies that someone carries the gene for a hereditary disease. Notice how 遗传病 acts as an adjective modifying 基因 (gene).

虽然他很健康，但他可能是某种遗传病基因的携带者。 (Although he is very healthy, he might be a carrier of a certain hereditary disease gene.)

Pattern 3: 预防/筛查 + 遗传病: These are action-oriented patterns focusing on prevention (预防 yùfáng) and screening (筛查 shāichá).

现代医学可以有效地筛查出多种遗传病。 (Modern medicine can effectively screen for many types of hereditary diseases.)

In a more conversational tone, you might hear people use the verb 遗传 (to inherit) directly. For example: '这病会遗传吗？' (Is this disease hereditary?). Here, 遗传 functions as a verb meaning 'to be passed down genetically.'

这种遗传病通常只传给男性。 (This hereditary disease is usually only passed on to males.)

Pattern 4: 常见的/严重的 + 遗传病: Adjectives like 'common' (常见) or 'serious' (严重) are used to categorize the disease.

地中海贫血是一种在南方比较常见的遗传病。 (Thalassemia is a relatively common hereditary disease in the south.)

Finally, when discussing the cause, you can say '由...引起' (caused by...). For example: '这种遗传病是由基因突变引起的' (This hereditary disease is caused by a gene mutation). This structure is essential for academic or scientific writing.

并不是所有的先天性疾病都是遗传病。 (Not all congenital diseases are hereditary diseases.)

通过基因技术，我们可以更好地理解遗传病。 (Through gene technology, we can better understand hereditary diseases.)

The word 遗传病 resonates across several distinct domains of Chinese life. From the sterile environment of a hospital to the living rooms of families planning their future, and into the high-tech world of biotech startups, the word carries weight and significance.

In the Hospital (医院): The most common place is the 'Medical Genetics Department' (医学遗传科). Doctors will use this word when analyzing a patient's symptoms that seem to run in the family. It is often used during 'pre-pregnancy checks' (备孕检查).

在医院里，医生会详细询问你的家族遗传病史。 (In the hospital, the doctor will ask in detail about your family history of hereditary diseases.)

You will also hear it in news segments regarding scientific breakthroughs. China has been a leader in certain areas of genomic research, so headlines often feature '遗传病' when discussing new treatments or successful gene-editing experiments (though these are often ethically debated).

In Education and Media (教育与媒体): High school biology textbooks in China dedicate entire chapters to '遗传与变异' (Heredity and Variation), where students learn about dominant and recessive 遗传病. Science documentaries on CCTV-10 (the science and education channel) frequently explore this topic.

这部纪录片讲述了一家人与遗传病抗争的故事。 (This documentary tells the story of a family's struggle against a hereditary disease.)

In Legal and Ethical Discussions (法律与伦理): The 'Maternal and Infant Health Care Law' (母婴保健法) in China mentions the prevention of hereditary diseases. Legal experts and ethicists use the word when discussing the rights of carriers and the ethics of reproductive technologies.

法律规定，某些严重的遗传病患者在结婚前应咨询医生。 (The law stipulates that patients with certain serious hereditary diseases should consult a doctor before getting married.)

In the workplace, particularly in insurance, you might find the term in policy documents. '遗传病' is often a key factor in determining coverage or premiums, similar to 'pre-existing conditions' in Western contexts. This makes it a practical word to know if you are living and working in China.

保险公司通常不承保某些已知的遗传病。 (Insurance companies usually do not cover certain known hereditary diseases.)

Finally, you'll hear it in social support groups. With the internet, many patients with '罕见遗传病' (rare hereditary diseases) have formed online communities on platforms like WeChat or Weibo to share information and support, making the word a bridge for community building.

他加入了一个遗传病互助小组。 (He joined a hereditary disease mutual aid group.)

基因检测可以帮助发现潜在的遗传病风险。 (Genetic testing can help discover potential hereditary disease risks.)

While 遗传病 is a straightforward medical term, learners often make specific errors involving its confusion with similar concepts or incorrect grammatical collocations. Avoiding these will significantly improve your precision in Chinese.

Mistake 1: Confusing 遗传病 with 传染病: This is the most frequent error. 遗传 (yíchuán) means genetic inheritance (vertical), while 传染 (chuánrǎn) means infection (horizontal). Saying '感冒是一种遗传病' (The flu is a hereditary disease) is factually and linguistically wrong.

错误：他把感冒传给了我，这是一种遗传病。
正确：他把感冒传染给了我，这是一种传染病。 (He passed the flu to me; it's an infectious disease.)

Another common mistake is confusing '遗传病' with '先天性疾病' (xiāntiānxìng jíbìng - congenital disease). While they overlap, they are not identical. A congenital disease is present at birth, but it might be caused by environmental factors in the womb (like infection or nutrition) rather than genetics.

Mistake 2: Using '有' (yǒu) instead of '患有' (huànyǒu) in formal writing: In casual speech, '他有遗传病' is fine. However, in medical or formal contexts, '患有' is the required verb for suffering from a condition.

正式用法：该患者患有某种家族性遗传病。 (The patient suffers from a certain familial hereditary disease.)

Mistake 3: Incorrectly using the measure word: The measure word for 遗传病 is usually 种 (zhǒng - kind/type). Using '个' (gè) is acceptable in very informal speech but sounds slightly uneducated in a medical context.

推荐用法：这是一种非常罕见的遗传病。 (This is a very rare type of hereditary disease.)

A subtle mistake involves the difference between '遗传' (heredity) and '继承' (jìchéng - inheritance). '继承' is used for money, property, or titles. You 'inherit' (继承) a house, but you 'genetically inherit' (遗传) a trait or disease. Never say '继承病'.

错误：他从父亲那里继承了这种病。
正确：他这种病是由于父亲的遗传引起的。 (This disease of his was caused by his father's genetic inheritance.)

Lastly, learners sometimes forget to include '病' (disease) when they mean the condition itself. '遗传' alone means 'heredity' or 'to inherit.' If you want to talk about the medical condition, you must add '病'.

注意：他有遗传（He has heredity - incomplete） vs 他有遗传病 (He has a hereditary disease - correct).

To speak like a native or a professional, you need to know the alternatives to 遗传病 and when to use them. The medical field is full of specific terms that overlap but have distinct meanings.

1. 先天性疾病 (xiāntiānxìng jíbìng): Definition: Congenital disease. Difference: This refers to any condition present at birth. While many 遗传病 are congenital, some (like Huntington's) appear later in life. Conversely, some congenital diseases are caused by the environment in the womb, not genetics.

医生需要确定这是遗传病还是由于怀孕期间感染导致的先天性疾病。 (The doctor needs to determine if this is a hereditary disease or a congenital disease caused by infection during pregnancy.)

2. 基因缺陷 (jīyīn quēxiàn): Definition: Genetic defect. Difference: This is more specific. It refers to the actual flaw in the DNA sequence. A 遗传病 is the clinical manifestation of a 基因缺陷.

这种遗传病是由一个微小的基因缺陷造成的。 (This hereditary disease is caused by a tiny genetic defect.)

3. 家族性疾病 (jiāzúxìng jíbìng): Definition: Familial disease. Difference: This is a broader term. It means a disease that 'runs in the family.' This could be due to shared genetics (遗传病) OR shared environment/lifestyle (like a family that all eats the same unhealthy diet).

高血压有时被视为一种家族性疾病，而不单纯是遗传病。 (Hypertension is sometimes viewed as a familial disease, not just a hereditary disease.)

4. 慢性病 (mànxìngbìng): Definition: Chronic disease. Difference: Many hereditary diseases are chronic, but many chronic diseases (like type 2 diabetes caused by lifestyle) are not hereditary diseases. This describes the duration, not the cause.

In a casual setting, you might simply say '这病传人' (zhè bìng chuán rén). However, be careful! '传人' usually implies infectiousness (passing to others). To say it's hereditary, say '这病传后代' (passing to descendants).

我们不确定这种遗传病是否会传给下一代。 (We are not sure if this hereditary disease will be passed to the next generation.)

5. 罕见病 (hǎnjiànbìng): Definition: Rare disease. Context: About 80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin. In policy discussions, '罕见病' and '遗传病' are often mentioned together.

政府正在增加对罕见遗传病药物的补贴。 (The government is increasing subsidies for drugs for rare hereditary diseases.)

By mastering these nuances, you can move from basic communication to sophisticated discussion. Whether you are reading a medical report or discussing health with friends, knowing these distinctions ensures you are understood correctly and respect the scientific reality of the conditions.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient China, before the term '遗传病' existed, such conditions were often described as '胎里带的' (tāi lǐ dài de), literally 'carried from the womb.'

Pronunciation Guide

UK /iː tʂʰwän piŋ/

US /i tʃwɑn biŋ/

The primary stress is on the third syllable 'bìng', as it defines the category (disease).

Rhymes With

硬 (yìng) 镜 (jìng) 静 (jìng) 命 (mìng) 定 (dìng) 姓 (xìng) 性 (xìng) 庆 (qìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chuán' with a fourth tone (chuàn), making it sound like 'skewer'.
Failing to rise enough on 'yí', making it sound like 'yī' (one).
Mixing up 'chuán' (pass) with 'quán' (whole).
Dropping the nasal 'ng' in 'bìng', making it sound like 'bìn'.
Saying 'yí chuán' too quickly so it blends into two syllables instead of three.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively common in health contexts, but '遗' and '传' can be tricky for beginners.

Writing 4/5

Writing '遗' and '传' requires attention to stroke order and complex components.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward as long as tones are clear.

Listening 3/5

Must be distinguished from '传染病' (infectious disease) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

病 (bìng) 身体 (shēntǐ) 医生 (yīshēng) 爸爸 (bàba) 妈妈 (māma)

Learn Next

基因 (jīyīn) 染色体 (rǎnsètǐ) 筛查 (shāichá) 预防 (yùfáng) 健康 (jiànkāng)

Advanced

表观遗传学 (epigenetics) 临床表现 (clinical manifestation) 基因编辑 (gene editing) 伦理 (ethics) 突变 (mutation)

Grammar to Know

Using '种' as a measure word for types of diseases.

这是一种常见的遗传病。

Formal verbs for 'having' a disease: 患有 (huànyǒu).

他患有严重的遗传病。

Passive voice with '由...引起' (caused by).

这种遗传病是由基因突变引起的。

The use of '史' (shǐ) to mean 'history' in medical terms.

家族遗传病史对诊断很重要。

The '把' construction with '遗传'.

他把这种病遗传给了他的儿子。

Examples by Level

我没有遗传病。

I don't have a hereditary disease.

Subject + 没有 + Noun.

这是遗传病吗？

Is this a hereditary disease?

Noun phrase + 吗 (question particle).

医生问我遗传病的事。

The doctor asked me about hereditary diseases.

S + 问 + O + 的事 (about something).

他妈妈有遗传病。

His mother has a hereditary disease.

Possessive + 有 + Noun.

这种遗传病不可怕。

This kind of hereditary disease is not scary.

Measure word 种 + Noun + 不 + Adjective.

我家里没有遗传病。

There are no hereditary diseases in my family.

Location (家) + 没有 + Noun.

什么是遗传病？

What is a hereditary disease?

什么 + 是 + Noun?

学习遗传病很有趣。

Learning about hereditary diseases is very interesting.

Verb phrase + 很 + Adjective.

色盲是一种遗传病。

Color blindness is a type of hereditary disease.

Noun + 是 + 一种 + Noun.

我们要做遗传病检查。

We need to do a hereditary disease check.

S + 要 + 做 + Noun phrase.

很多病不是遗传病。

Many diseases are not hereditary diseases.

很多 + Noun + 不是 + Noun.

医生说这是一种遗传病。

The doctor said this is a hereditary disease.

S + 说 + [clause].

你想了解遗传病吗？

Do you want to learn about hereditary diseases?

想 + 了解 (to understand/learn about).

这种遗传病很罕见。

This kind of hereditary disease is very rare.

罕见 (hǎnjiàn) means rare.

遗传病会传给孩子吗？

Will hereditary diseases be passed to children?

会...吗? (Will...?).

他在研究遗传病。

He is researching hereditary diseases.

在 + 研究 (be researching).

他患有一种严重的遗传病。

He suffers from a serious hereditary disease.

患有 (huànyǒu) is the formal verb for 'to suffer from'.

我们要了解家族遗传病史。

We need to understand the family history of hereditary diseases.

家族 + 遗传病 + 史 (history).

现代医学可以预防遗传病。

Modern medicine can prevent hereditary diseases.

可以 + 预防 (can prevent).

基因检测能发现遗传病。

Genetic testing can discover hereditary diseases.

基因检测 (genetic testing) + 能 + 发现 (can discover).

并不是所有病都是遗传病。

Not all diseases are hereditary diseases.

并不是 (it's not the case that...).

有些遗传病在成年后才出现。

Some hereditary diseases only appear after adulthood.

在...后 + 才 + 出现 (only appear after...).

他担心自己有遗传病基因。

He is worried that he has a hereditary disease gene.

担心 (worry) + [clause].

医生建议他做遗传病筛查。

The doctor suggested he do a hereditary disease screening.

建议 (suggest) + S + 做 + Noun.

地中海贫血是一种常见的遗传病。

Thalassemia is a common hereditary disease.

Specific name + 是 + 一种 + Adjective + 遗传病.

隐性遗传病通常不容易被发现。

Recessive hereditary diseases are usually not easy to detect.

隐性 (recessive) vs 显性 (dominant).

科学家致力于攻克遗传病。

Scientists are dedicated to overcoming hereditary diseases.

致力于 (be dedicated to) + 攻克 (overcome/conquer).

这种遗传病是由染色体异常引起的。

This hereditary disease is caused by chromosomal abnormalities.

由...引起的 (caused by...).

婚前检查可以降低遗传病风险。

Pre-marital checkups can reduce the risk of hereditary diseases.

降低 (reduce) + 风险 (risk).

患者携带了某种遗传病基因。

The patient carries a certain hereditary disease gene.

携带 (xiédài) means 'to carry'.

遗传病对家庭造成了沉重的负担。

Hereditary diseases place a heavy burden on families.

对...造成...负担 (place a burden on...).

通过试管婴儿技术可以避开遗传病。

Hereditary diseases can be avoided through IVF technology.

通过 (through) + Method + 可以 + 避开 (avoid).

显性遗传病在每一代都会表现出来。

Dominant hereditary diseases manifest in every generation.

表现出来 (manifest/show up).

伦理委员会讨论了遗传病基因编辑的问题。

The ethics committee discussed the issue of gene editing for hereditary diseases.

伦理委员会 (ethics committee) + 讨论 (discuss).

罕见遗传病的药物研发成本极高。

The R&D costs for drugs for rare hereditary diseases are extremely high.

研发 (R&D) + 成本 (cost) + 极高 (extremely high).

该政策旨在加强对遗传病患者的保障。

The policy aims to strengthen protection for patients with hereditary diseases.

旨在 (aims to) + 加强 (strengthen).

单基因遗传病与多基因遗传病有很大不同。

Single-gene disorders are very different from polygenic disorders.

A + 与 + B + 有很大不同 (A is very different from B).

遗传病咨询师能提供专业的备孕建议。

Genetic disease counselors can provide professional pre-pregnancy advice.

咨询师 (counselor) + 提供 (provide).

基因突变是导致遗传病的根本原因。

Gene mutation is the root cause leading to hereditary diseases.

根本原因 (root cause).

全基因组测序揭示了复杂的遗传病机制。

Whole-genome sequencing revealed complex hereditary disease mechanisms.

揭示 (reveal) + 机制 (mechanism).

遗传病在某些封闭群体中发病率较高。

The incidence of hereditary diseases is higher in certain isolated populations.

封闭群体 (closed/isolated group) + 发病率 (incidence rate).

精准医疗为遗传病治疗带来了曙光。

Precision medicine has brought a glimmer of hope to the treatment of hereditary diseases.

精准医疗 (precision medicine) + 带来曙光 (bring hope/dawn).

法律应严禁针对遗传病的基因歧视。

The law should strictly prohibit genetic discrimination against hereditary diseases.

严禁 (strictly prohibit) + 基因歧视 (genetic discrimination).

线粒体遗传病遵循母系遗传的规律。

Mitochondrial hereditary diseases follow the pattern of maternal inheritance.

遵循 (follow) + 规律 (pattern/law).

多组学研究有助于解析遗传病的复杂表型。

Multi-omics research helps in parsing the complex phenotypes of hereditary diseases.

解析 (parse/analyze) + 表型 (phenotype).

伴性遗传病在男女之间的发病率差异显著。

The incidence of sex-linked hereditary diseases differs significantly between males and females.

伴性 (sex-linked) + 差异显著 (significant difference).

该项研究探讨了环境因素对遗传病的影响。

The study explored the impact of environmental factors on hereditary diseases.

探讨 (explore/discuss) + 影响 (impact).

表观遗传学为理解遗传病提供了新视角。

Epigenetics provides a new perspective for understanding hereditary diseases.

表观遗传学 (epigenetics) + 提供新视角 (provide new perspective).

Common Collocations

患有遗传病

家族遗传病史

罕见遗传病

遗传病筛查

携带遗传病基因

预防遗传病

严重的遗传病

遗传病咨询

多基因遗传病

遗传病患者

Common Phrases

隐性遗传病

— Recessive hereditary disease. A disease that only appears if both parents pass on the gene.

这种病是隐性遗传病，所以父母都很健康。

显性遗传病

— Dominant hereditary disease. A disease that appears if even one parent passes on the gene.

显性遗传病在家族中往往代代相传。

伴性遗传病

— Sex-linked hereditary disease. A disease linked to the X or Y chromosomes.

血友病是一种典型的伴性遗传病。

单基因遗传病

— Single-gene hereditary disease. Caused by a mutation in one gene.

目前已知的单基因遗传病有数千种。

多基因遗传病

— Polygenic hereditary disease. Influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors.

青少年糖尿病通常属于多基因遗传病。

常染色体遗传病

— Autosomal hereditary disease. Linked to non-sex chromosomes.

这种常染色体遗传病在男性和女性中发病率相等。

先天性遗传病

— Congenital hereditary disease. A genetic disease present at birth.

由于是先天性遗传病，他出生后就开始接受治疗。

遗传病风险

— Risk of hereditary disease.

高龄产妇面临更高的遗传病风险。

遗传病治疗

— Treatment of hereditary diseases.

遗传病治疗是现代医学的一大挑战。

遗传病研究

— Research on hereditary diseases.

他毕生致力于遗传病研究。

Often Confused With

遗传病 vs 传染病 (chuánrǎnbìng)

Hereditary (genetic) vs Infectious (pathogenic). This is the most common confusion due to the shared character '传'.

遗传病 vs 先天性疾病 (xiāntiānxìng jíbìng)

Congenital (at birth) vs Hereditary (genetic). Not all congenital diseases are genetic (e.g., FASD).

遗传病 vs 继承 (jìchéng)

To inherit property/title vs 遗传 (to inherit genes). Never say '继承病'.

Idioms & Expressions

"代代相传"

— Passed down from generation to generation. Often used to describe traits or diseases.

这种遗传病在他们家族中代代相传。

Neutral/Formal

"根深蒂固"

— Deep-rooted. Sometimes used metaphorically to describe a genetic condition that is hard to change.

这种遗传病的影响在他身上根深蒂固。

Literary

"天灾人祸"

— Natural disasters and man-made calamities. Sometimes used to express the misfortune of having a genetic disease.

对他而言，这种遗传病简直是天灾人祸。

General

"无药可救"

— Incurable. Historically used for some genetic diseases, though now considered insensitive.

在过去，许多遗传病被认为是无药可救的。

Informal/Harsh

"血脉相连"

— Connected by blood. Used to describe the biological link that facilitates heredity.

因为血脉相连，遗传病才得以传承。

Literary/Emotional

"命中注定"

— Destined by fate. Used by some to describe the feeling of having an unavoidable genetic condition.

他觉得患上这种遗传病是命中注定的。

Informal/Fatalistic

"优胜劣汰"

— Survival of the fittest. Used in discussions about evolution and the elimination of genetic diseases.

自然界通过优胜劣汰来减少遗传病的传播。

Scientific/Philosophical

"防患于未然"

— Take preventive measures. Used when talking about genetic screening.

做遗传病筛查就是为了防患于未然。

Formal

"因果报应"

— Karma/Retribution. An old, superstitious way some people viewed congenital or genetic diseases.

迷信的人曾认为遗传病是因果报应。

Archaic/Sensitive

"源远流长"

— Long-standing and well-established. Can be used for family traits or conditions.

这个家族的遗传病史源远流长。

Literary

Easily Confused

遗传病 vs 传染 (chuánrǎn)

Sounds similar and both involve 'passing on' something.

传染 is person-to-person (like a cold). 遗传 is parent-to-child (like height).

感冒会传染，但色盲是遗传的。

遗传病 vs 变异 (biànyì)

Both are related to genetics.

遗传 describes the passing of traits, while 变异 describes a change or mutation in those traits.

这种遗传病是由基因变异引起的。

遗传病 vs 基因 (jīyīn)

Related concepts.

基因 is the unit of heredity; 遗传病 is the disease caused by a fault in that unit.

他的基因里有遗传病的缺陷。

遗传病 vs 家族 (jiāzú)

Genetic diseases are often called familial.

家族 refers to the family group; 遗传病 refers to the disease itself.

这个家族有遗传病史。

遗传病 vs 缺陷 (quēxiàn)

Often used together (genetic defect).

缺陷 is the flaw; 遗传病 is the resulting illness.

基因缺陷导致了这种遗传病。

Sentence Patterns

我有/没有遗传病。

我没有遗传病。

[Disease Name] 是一种遗传病。

色盲是一种遗传病。

S + 患有 + [Adj] + 遗传病。

他患有一种罕见的遗传病。

S + 携带 + 遗传病 + 基因。

她携带了遗传病基因。

这种遗传病是由...引起的。

这种遗传病是由染色体异常引起的。

针对遗传病的...旨在...。

针对遗传病的基因疗法旨在修复致病基因。

我们要了解家族遗传病史。

预防遗传病的关键在于筛查。

Word Family

Nouns

遗传 (Heredity)

遗传学 (Genetics)

遗传学家 (Geneticist)

遗传物质 (Genetic material)

病 (Disease/Illness)

Verbs

遗传 (To inherit/To pass down)

致病 (To cause disease)

患病 (To fall ill)

Adjectives

遗传性的 (Hereditary/Genetic)

致病的 (Pathogenic)

病态的 (Morbid/Pathological)

基因 (Gene)

染色体 (Chromosome)

变异 (Mutation/Variation)

血缘 (Blood relation)

后代 (Offspring)

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical, scientific, and family planning contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 遗传病 as a verb. → 使用'遗传'作为动词。
You cannot say '他遗传病了他的孩子'. You should say '他把病遗传给了孩子'. 遗传病 is only a noun.
Confusing 遗传病 with 传染病. → 区分遗传和传染。
传染 (chuánrǎn) is for germs/viruses. 遗传 (yíchuán) is for DNA. Don't say a flu is a 遗传病.
Using 继承 for diseases. → 使用'遗传'而不是'继承'。
继承 (jìchéng) is for money or houses. 遗传 (yíchuán) is for biological traits. '继承病' is incorrect.
Incorrect measure word '个'. → 使用'种'或'类'。
While '一个病' is used informally, '一种遗传病' is the standard and more accurate way to classify types of diseases.
Omitting '病' when referring to the condition. → 加上'病'字。
Saying '他有遗传' is incomplete. You must say '他有遗传病' or '这病是遗传的'.

Tips

Use formal verbs

In a medical context, always use '患有' (huànyǒu) instead of '有' (yǒu) to sound more professional when describing someone suffering from a hereditary disease.

Measure word '种'

Always use '种' (zhǒng) to count genetic diseases. For example: '这是一种遗传病' (This is a type of hereditary disease).

Distinguish from infection

Never use '遗传' when you mean catching a cold. Use '传染' (chuánrǎn) for infections and '遗传' (yíchuán) for DNA inheritance.

Sensitivity

Discussing family health can be private in China. Use the term '遗传病' with care and empathy, especially in social settings.

Learn the components

Remember '遗' (leave behind) and '传' (pass on). This will help you understand other related words like '遗产' (heritage/inheritance).

Tone accuracy

Practice the second tone of '传' (chuán) repeatedly. It's the most common part of the word where learners make mistakes.

Radical awareness

Notice the '疒' (sickness radical) in '病'. This radical is found in almost all words related to illness in Chinese.

History term

Memorize the phrase '遗传病史' (yíchuánbìng shǐ). It is extremely useful for filling out health forms or talking to doctors.

Cause vs Effect

Remember that '遗传' is the process and '遗传病' is the result. You can say '这个病是遗传的' (This disease is inherited).

Pair with '基因'

To sound like a C1 speaker, pair '遗传病' with '基因' (gene) to explain the cause: '由致病基因引起的遗传病'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '遗' as a 'will' (leaving something), '传' as a 'transmitter' (passing it), and '病' as 'illness'. You are inheriting a transmitter of illness from your family.

Visual Association

Imagine a family tree where a red line (the disease) flows from the roots (grandparents) through the trunk (parents) to the leaves (children).

Word Web

基因 (Gene) 家族 (Family) 医生 (Doctor) 检查 (Check-up) 预防 (Prevention) 血液 (Blood) 孩子 (Child) 健康 (Health)

Challenge

Try to explain to a friend in Chinese why color blindness is a 遗传病 and not a 传染病. Use at least three sentences.

Word Origin

The term is a modern Chinese compound. '遗传' (yíchuán) was adopted as the standard translation for 'heredity' in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as Western science entered China. '病' (bìng) is one of the oldest characters in Chinese, dating back to Oracle Bone Inscriptions.

Original meaning: '遗' originally meant to lose or leave behind. '传' meant to relay or pass on. Together, they describe the relaying of traits 'left behind' by ancestors.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 遗传病 with people, as it can be a sensitive family topic. Avoid implying that a family is 'unhealthy' or 'defective' because of a genetic condition.

In English-speaking countries, 'hereditary disease' is often used interchangeably with 'genetic disorder.' The Chinese term 遗传病 is used similarly but carries a stronger 'family' connotation.

The movie 'Better Days' (少年的你) touches on familial struggles, though not specifically genetic disease. News reports on He Jiankui's gene-editing controversy (CRISPR babies) centered on 遗传病 prevention. Popular science books like 'The Gene' by Siddhartha Mukherjee have been translated into Chinese and discuss 遗传病 extensively.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a hospital check-up

你有遗传病吗？
我家里有遗传病史。
这个病会遗传吗？
我们需要做基因检测。

In a biology class

遗传病是怎么产生的？
什么是隐性遗传病？
色盲是伴性遗传病。
基因突变导致遗传病。

Discussing marriage and children

婚前检查包含遗传病吗？
为了孩子，我们要查遗传病。
遗传病风险高吗？
咨询一下遗传病专家。

Reading news about science

科学家发现了新的遗传病基因。
基因疗法有望治愈遗传病。
罕见遗传病得到社会关注。
新型筛查技术预防遗传病。

Insurance and Legal

保险理赔不包括遗传病。
遗传病患者的权益保障。
法律禁止遗传病歧视。
如实告知遗传病史。

Conversation Starters

"你知道什么是遗传病吗？ (Do you know what a hereditary disease is?)"

"你觉得基因检测对预防遗传病重要吗？ (Do you think genetic testing is important for preventing hereditary diseases?)"

"在你的国家，人们怎么看待遗传病？ (In your country, how do people view hereditary diseases?)"

"你听说过哪些比较常见的遗传病？ (What are some common hereditary diseases you've heard of?)"

"如果家里有遗传病史，你会告诉你的伴侣吗？ (If there's a family history of hereditary disease, would you tell your partner?)"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对现代医学治疗遗传病的看法。 (Write about your views on modern medicine's treatment of hereditary diseases.)

描述一下如果你是一名医生，你会如何向病人解释遗传病。 (Describe how you would explain hereditary diseases to a patient if you were a doctor.)

探讨一下基因技术在预防遗传病方面的伦理问题。 (Explore the ethical issues of gene technology in preventing hereditary diseases.)

记录一次你学到的关于遗传病的科学知识。 (Record a scientific fact you learned about hereditary diseases.)

如果你可以改变一个遗传基因来预防某种遗传病，你会怎么做？ (If you could change a gene to prevent a hereditary disease, what would you do?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

目前，大多数遗传病难以完全治愈，因为它们是由基因决定的。但是，通过基因疗法和药物，许多症状可以得到缓解。科学家们正在努力研究彻底治愈的方法。

隐性遗传病是指只有当一个人从父母双方各继承一个致病基因时才会发病的疾病。如果只从一方继承，通常只是携带者，不会发病。例如，白化病就是一种隐性遗传病。

预防遗传病的主要方法包括婚前检查、产前筛查和基因咨询。通过这些手段，可以评估生育患病后代的风险，并采取相应的医疗措施。例如，试管婴儿技术可以筛选健康的胚胎。

遗传病是由于遗传物质改变引起的，而先天性疾病是指婴儿出生时就有的疾病。有些先天性疾病是遗传的，但有些是由于怀孕期间的环境因素（如感染或药物）造成的。

常见的遗传病包括色盲、血友病、地中海贫血、唐氏综合征和白化病。这些疾病在人群中有不同的发病率，有些可以通过简单的测试发现。

绝大多数色盲是遗传性的，属于伴性遗传病。但也有一小部分色盲是由于后天的眼部疾病或神经损伤造成的，这种情况下不属于遗传病。

是的，有可能。如果父母双方都是某种隐性遗传病基因的携带者，他们本身虽然健康，但有25%的概率生下患病的孩子。这就是为什么基因筛查很重要的原因。

会。特别是隐性遗传病，可能在爷爷奶奶辈出现，父母辈只是携带者不发病，然后又在孙子辈表现出来。这就是人们常说的‘隔代遗传’。

目前还不能。虽然基因检测技术已经非常先进，可以查出数千种已知的遗传病，但人类基因组非常复杂，仍有一些未知的致病基因尚未被发现。

在大多数法律体系中，遗传病患者有结婚的权利。但在中国，法律建议患有严重遗传病的人在结婚前咨询医生，并向伴侣如实告知病情，以便共同决定生育计划。