做检查
To visit a doctor or professional to make sure everything is working correctly.
Explanation at your level:
You go to the doctor. You want to see if you are healthy. This is a check-up. It is good to do this every year. You tell the doctor how you feel. The doctor looks at you. It is a very good thing to do for your body.
A check-up is a visit to the doctor. You don't have to be sick to have a check-up. You might have a check-up for your teeth at the dentist, too. It helps you stay strong and happy. It is a common, helpful habit for everyone.
When you have a check-up, you are performing a preventative health measure. It is a standard procedure where a professional reviews your physical condition. People often schedule these annually. It is a great way to catch small problems before they become big ones.
The term 'check-up' is a versatile phrase. While primarily medical, it implies a systematic review. You might also hear it used in business, such as a 'financial check-up,' which means reviewing your budget. It is a casual yet professional way to describe an assessment.
In advanced contexts, 'to do a check-up' can be used metaphorically to describe the evaluation of abstract systems, such as the 'check-up' of a company's cultural health. It carries the nuance of maintenance and vigilance. It is less clinical than 'clinical examination' and more approachable.
Etymologically, the evolution of 'check-up' reflects the 20th-century shift toward preventative medicine. It moved from a simple verification of facts to a complex ritual of health maintenance. In literary or high-register contexts, one might use 'assessment' or 'examination,' but 'check-up' retains a grounded, human quality that connects the individual to their own well-being.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A check-up is a health assessment.
- It is usually preventative.
- You can use it for cars or systems.
- It is a very common English phrase.
When we say to do a check-up, we are usually talking about a proactive visit to a doctor. It is all about prevention! Instead of waiting until you feel sick, you go to see if everything is running smoothly.
Think of it like taking your car to the mechanic for an oil change. You aren't broken down on the side of the road; you are just making sure you don't end up there later. In a broader sense, it can mean inspecting anything, like a security check-up or a financial check-up.
The word check comes from the old game of chess. When a king was under attack, the player would say 'check.' Eventually, this evolved into the idea of verifying or inspecting something against a standard.
The term check-up emerged in the early 20th century, specifically in American English, to describe a thorough medical examination. It shifted from a noun meaning 'a verification' to a compound noun describing a specific health ritual that became common as modern medicine focused more on preventative care.
You will most often hear this in a medical context, such as 'I need to schedule a check-up.' It is a very common, neutral phrase used by people of all ages.
In professional settings, you might hear 'system check-up' or 'safety check-up.' It is less formal than 'medical examination' and more casual than 'diagnostic assessment.' It is the perfect phrase for everyday conversation.
Give it a once-over: To take a quick look at something to check it. Example: Can you give my essay a once-over?
Check in: To report one's status. Example: I'm just checking in to see how you are.
Check the pulse: To gauge the current state of something. Example: We need to check the pulse of the market.
Double-check: To verify something again. Example: Always double-check your work.
Rain check: To postpone an offer. Example: Can I take a rain check on dinner?
As a verb phrase, 'to do a check-up' follows standard verb conjugation: I do, he does, they did. The noun form is 'a check-up', which is countable.
Pronunciation (US): /tu du ə ˈtʃɛk.ʌp/. The stress is on the first syllable of 'check'. Rhyming words include deck-up, wreck-up, speck-up (though these are rare compounds). Remember to link the 'u' in 'do' to the 'a' in 'a' for a natural flow.
Fun Fact
The word 'check' comes from the Persian 'shah' (king) in chess.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound, clear 'k' sounds.
Similar to UK, slightly more emphasis on the 'up'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as one syllable
- Missing the 'k' sound
- Confusing 'check-up' with 'check-in'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to use
Commonly used
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Articles with nouns
a check-up
Prepositions of location
check-up on
Present simple tense
I have a check-up
Examples by Level
I go to the doctor for a check-up.
go to doctor
verb phrase
She has a check-up today.
has an appointment
present tense
Do you need a check-up?
question form
interrogative
He likes his yearly check-up.
likes the visit
possessive
The baby needs a check-up.
baby needs doctor
noun phrase
I did a check-up yesterday.
past action
past tense
Is it time for a check-up?
asking about time
time reference
We will do a check-up soon.
future action
future tense
I scheduled a dental check-up for Monday.
My doctor recommends a yearly check-up.
Are you nervous about your check-up?
The nurse performed a quick check-up.
I feel better after my check-up.
Don't forget your health check-up.
She is waiting for her check-up.
We all need a regular check-up.
The company is doing a financial check-up to save money.
I haven't had a physical check-up in years.
The mechanic did a check-up on my car's engine.
It is wise to get a check-up before traveling abroad.
The doctor did a thorough check-up on the patient.
She insisted that I get a check-up immediately.
A routine check-up can save your life.
We are doing a check-up on our progress.
Getting a regular check-up is essential for long-term health.
The manager did a check-up on the team's morale.
I need to schedule a check-up with my primary physician.
He underwent a full check-up to rule out any issues.
It's a good idea to perform a check-up on your goals.
The software requires a system check-up periodically.
She treated the meeting like a check-up on their strategy.
Don't neglect your annual check-up.
The CEO initiated a comprehensive check-up of the firm's operational efficiency.
A diagnostic check-up revealed the underlying cause of the malfunction.
He approached the project with the scrutiny of a medical check-up.
The periodic check-up of the infrastructure is mandatory.
She viewed the feedback session as a necessary check-up for their relationship.
The audit serves as a financial check-up for the organization.
Regular check-ups are the cornerstone of preventative medicine.
The engineer performed a rigorous check-up on the safety protocols.
The societal check-up performed by the historian revealed deep-seated structural issues.
His introspective check-up of his own values led to a career change.
The institution underwent a rigorous check-up of its ethical standards.
A literary check-up of the manuscript highlighted several inconsistencies.
The diplomatic check-up between the two nations was long overdue.
She conducted a philosophical check-up of her life's trajectory.
The environmental check-up indicated a decline in local biodiversity.
A meticulous check-up of the historical record confirmed the theory.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Give it a once-over"
Inspect quickly
Give the report a once-over before sending.
casual"Check in"
Report status
Please check in when you arrive.
neutral"Double-check"
Verify again
I double-checked the flight time.
neutral"Check the pulse"
Gauge current state
Let's check the pulse of the room.
idiomatic"Rain check"
Postpone
I'll take a rain check on that.
casual"Check out"
Investigate
Let's check out that new store.
casualEasily Confused
Both start with check
Check-in is for arrival at hotels/flights.
I need to check in at the hotel.
Both start with check
Check-out is for leaving.
Time to check out.
Both are medical
Examination is more formal.
The doctor did an examination.
Both are health-related
Screening is for specific diseases.
I had a cancer screening.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + have + a check-up
I have a check-up today.
Subject + do + a check-up + on + object
He did a check-up on the car.
It is time + for + a check-up
It is time for a check-up.
Subject + schedule + a check-up
I scheduled a check-up.
Subject + need + a check-up
We need a check-up.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Doctor is a person, not an adjective for the check-up.
The preposition 'on' is required for the object.
Compound nouns are more natural.
The phrasal verb 'check up on' needs 'on'.
Check-up is the event, not the person.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your doctor's office in your house.
Native Speakers
Use it for health and maintenance.
Insight
It implies taking care of yourself.
Shortcut
Always use 'a' before check-up.
Say It
Emphasize the 'check'.
Avoid
Don't say 'do a check-up to'.
Fun Fact
Comes from chess.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about your life.
Context
Use it for systems too.
Verb
Use 'do' or 'get'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
CHECK your health UP on the calendar.
Visual Association
A person sitting on a doctor's exam table.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to schedule a check-up for your car or body this month.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A verification or examination
Cultural Context
None
Very common in US/UK for health maintenance.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the doctor
- I have an appointment
- Is everything okay?
- When is my next check-up?
At the mechanic
- Is my car safe?
- Check the brakes
- Need a maintenance check-up
At work
- Let's check-up on the project
- Progress review
- System status
At home
- Checking on the kids
- Checking the house
- Safety check-up
Conversation Starters
"When was your last medical check-up?"
"Do you get a yearly check-up?"
"Do you think check-ups are important?"
"What do you check up on regularly?"
"How often do you take your car for a check-up?"
Journal Prompts
Write about your last visit to the doctor.
Why is preventative health important?
Describe a time you had to check up on something.
What systems in your life need a check-up?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsConsult your doctor.
It is a noun phrase, used with 'do' or 'have'.
Yes, 'a car check-up'.
Usually once a year.
No, it's preventative.
Depends on insurance.
Yes, it is common.
It is semi-formal.
Test Yourself
I need to go to the ___ for a check-up.
Doctors perform check-ups.
What is a check-up?
It is a health assessment.
You only get a check-up when you are very sick.
It is usually preventative.
Word
Meaning
Synonyms match.
Subject-verb-object structure.
Score: /5
Summary
A check-up is a proactive way to ensure everything is working perfectly, whether it is your body, your car, or your work.
- A check-up is a health assessment.
- It is usually preventative.
- You can use it for cars or systems.
- It is a very common English phrase.
Memory Palace
Imagine your doctor's office in your house.
Native Speakers
Use it for health and maintenance.
Insight
It implies taking care of yourself.
Shortcut
Always use 'a' before check-up.
Related Content
More health words
一粒
A2One pill; a grain (for small, round objects like pills).
一片
A2One tablet; a slice (for flat objects like pills).
不正常
A2abnormal
以上
A2Above, over (a number)
酸痛
A2Sore; aching (especially muscles).
倒是
A2On the contrary; actually.
针灸
A2Acupuncture; traditional Chinese therapy.
扎针
A2to give an injection
急性
B1acute (illness)
急性病
B1Acute disease.
