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A2 noun 7 min read

心脏病

xinzangbing4

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 心脏病 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 心脏病 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '心脏病' means heart disease. You should be able to recognize the characters '心' (heart) and '病' (illness). You might use it in very simple sentences like '我有心脏病' (I have heart disease) if you are traveling and need to inform someone of your condition. It is a vital safety word. You should understand that the heart is an organ and this word describes when that organ is not healthy. Focus on the '心' character, which looks a bit like a heart with its chambers, and '病', which has the 'sickness' radical on the outside. At this stage, don't worry about the different types of heart disease, just use it as a general term for medical problems related to the heart. Knowing this word helps you navigate basic medical forms or explain simple health issues to a doctor. It is one of the essential health nouns for beginners.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '心脏病' in more descriptive sentences. You can start adding simple adjectives like '严重' (severe) or '轻微' (mild). You should understand how to use the verb '有' (to have) to describe someone's condition. For example, '我的爷爷有心脏病' (My grandfather has heart disease). You might also learn the phrase '看医生' (see a doctor) in conjunction with this word. You should be aware of the difference between physical heart problems and emotional sadness. In A2, you are expected to handle basic social interactions, so being able to talk about a family member's health using this word is a key skill. You should also be able to understand simple health advice, such as '不要抽烟，对心脏病不好' (Don't smoke, it's bad for heart disease).

By B1, you should be familiar with the formal verb '患' (to suffer from) and the phrase '心脏病发作' (heart attack). You can discuss the causes and effects of the disease in a simple way. For instance, you could explain that '压力太大可能会导致心脏病' (Too much stress might lead to heart disease). You should also be able to understand more detailed health instructions and read simple health articles that use this term. You might encounter this word in the context of '预防' (prevention) and '饮食' (diet). You should be able to participate in a conversation about healthy living and mention '心脏病' as a potential risk factor of an unhealthy lifestyle. Your vocabulary should expand to include related terms like '高血压' (high blood pressure) which are often discussed alongside heart disease.

At the B2 level, you can use '心脏病' in complex discussions about public health and medical research. You should be able to distinguish between '心脏病' and '心血管疾病' (cardiovascular disease). You can use it in the passive voice or within complex grammatical structures. For example, '他被诊断出患有先天性心脏病' (He was diagnosed with congenital heart disease). You should be able to understand news reports about medical breakthroughs or statistics regarding heart disease in the population. Your ability to use formal medical terminology alongside '心脏病' should increase, allowing you to discuss '症状' (symptoms), '治疗方案' (treatment plans), and '手术' (surgery) fluently. You can also understand the nuances of how the word is used in different registers, from a doctor's consultation to a formal lecture on health.

At the C1 level, you are expected to have a deep understanding of the word '心脏病' and its place in the broader medical and social discourse. You can discuss the socioeconomic factors that contribute to the rise of '心脏病' in developing countries. You should be able to read academic papers or complex literature where the word might be used metaphorically or as part of a detailed medical case study. You understand the historical development of the term and can accurately use various specific subtypes of the disease in conversation. You can debate the ethics of heart transplants or the funding of heart disease research. Your use of the word is precise, and you can switch between colloquial and highly technical language effortlessly, using terms like '心肌梗死' (myocardial infarction) when appropriate instead of the general '心脏病'.

At the C2 level, you have native-like mastery of '心脏病'. You can use the word in any context, including high-level medical professional environments, legal cases involving medical malpractice, or sophisticated literary analysis. You understand the subtle cultural connotations of the word in Chinese history and traditional medicine (though '心脏病' is a modern term, the concept of the 'heart' in TCM is different). You can use the word in puns, idioms, and complex metaphors. You are able to synthesize information from multiple sources about '心脏病' and present a coherent, nuanced argument or presentation. You are also aware of the latest international developments in cardiology and can discuss them using the most up-to-date Chinese terminology. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a tool for professional and academic expression.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

心脏病 in 30 Seconds

心脏病 (xīnzàngbìng) is the standard Chinese term for heart disease, combining the characters for heart, organ, and disease.
It is a noun used to describe a wide range of cardiac issues, from mild conditions to life-threatening heart attacks.
In conversation, it is typically used with verbs like '有' (have) or '患' (suffer from) and is a key word for health discussions.
Learners must distinguish it from emotional 'heartache' and ensure the correct tone for the character '脏' (zàng).

The term 心脏病 (xīnzàngbìng) is the standard Chinese medical and everyday term for 'heart disease' or 'cardiac illness.' To understand this word, we must break down its constituent characters, as they provide a clear map of the meaning. 心 (xīn) refers to the heart, 脏 (zàng) refers to internal organs, and 病 (bìng) refers to sickness or disease. Together, they literally translate to 'heart-organ-disease.' In Chinese culture, health discussions are common, and as the population ages, the term 心脏病 appears frequently in both clinical settings and casual conversations about family well-being.

Literal Breakdown: 心 (Heart) + 脏 (Organ) + 病 (Disease). This tripartite structure is typical for medical terms in Chinese, where the specific organ is identified before the suffix for illness.
Clinical Usage: In a hospital, a doctor might ask if there is a family history of 心脏病. It covers a broad spectrum from arrhythmias to coronary artery disease.
Social Context: When talking about elderly relatives, people often use this word to explain lifestyle choices, such as avoiding spicy food or intense exercise.

医生说他有轻微的心脏病，需要长期服药。 (The doctor said he has mild heart disease and needs long-term medication.)

Understanding the prevalence of 心脏病 in modern China is also vital for learners. With rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyles and dietary changes have made cardiovascular health a major public focus. Government health campaigns often feature the word 心脏病 to promote awareness of blood pressure and cholesterol management. In literature and film, a character suddenly clutching their chest and being diagnosed with 心脏病 is a common trope to signify high stress or a turning point in the plot. It is a word that carries significant weight, implying a serious, often chronic, condition that requires careful management. Whether you are reading a medical report, watching a TV drama, or talking to a friend about their parents, this word is the cornerstone of discussing cardiac health. It is also important to note that the character 脏 (zàng) is a polyphone; here it is fourth tone, meaning 'organ,' but in first tone (zāng), it means 'dirty.' Context and tone are key to avoiding confusion.

Using 心脏病 correctly involves pairing it with specific verbs and adjectives. The most common verb used with it is 有 (yǒu - to have) or 患 (huàn - to suffer from). While '有' is used in general conversation, '患' or '患有' is more formal and medical. For example, '他患有心脏病' sounds more clinical than '他有心脏病.' Another important verb is 预防 (yùfáng - to prevent), as in '预防心脏病非常重要' (Preventing heart disease is very important).

Common Verbs: 有 (have), 患 (suffer from), 引起 (cause), 预防 (prevent), 治疗 (treat).
Adjectives: 严重的 (severe), 轻微的 (mild), 先天性的 (congenital), 慢性的 (chronic).

高脂肪饮食可能会增加患心脏病的风险。 (A high-fat diet may increase the risk of heart disease.)

When constructing sentences, pay attention to the measure words or lack thereof. Unlike English where we might say 'a heart disease,' in Chinese, it is often treated as an uncountable condition unless specifying a type. You can say '一种心脏病' (a type of heart disease). In emotional or dramatic contexts, you might hear '心脏病发作' (heart disease attack / heart attack). This is a crucial phrase for emergency situations. For instance, '他突然心脏病发作了' (He suddenly had a heart attack). Understanding the structure of these sentences allows a learner to communicate urgency or medical history effectively. Furthermore, the word can be used as a modifier. For example, '心脏病专家' (heart disease specialist/cardiologist) or '心脏病医院' (cardiac hospital). This versatility makes it an essential noun in the health-related vocabulary of an A2-B1 learner.

You will encounter 心脏病 in a variety of real-world scenarios in China. The most obvious place is the hospital (医院 - yīyuàn). In the 'Cardiology Department' (心内科 - xīn nèikē), this word is the primary subject of discussion. You will hear nurses asking about patient history or doctors explaining test results. Beyond the clinic, health-related talk shows and news segments on CCTV or local stations frequently discuss the 'Three Highs' (高血压 - high blood pressure, 高血糖 - high blood sugar, 高血脂 - high blood lipids) and their link to 心脏病.

他在电梯里看到一张关于预防心脏病的海报。 (He saw a poster about preventing heart disease in the elevator.)

In the workplace, during annual health check-ups (体检 - tǐjiǎn), HR or colleagues might discuss the importance of monitoring heart health to avoid sudden death from overwork (过劳死 - guòláosǐ), which is often linked to underlying 心脏病. In pharmacies (药店 - yàodiàn), you might see sections dedicated to 'heart health' where the word is prominently displayed on packaging. In movies and soap operas, the 'heart attack' is a classic plot device, usually triggered by a shock or an argument. Hearing '我的心脏病要犯了' (My heart disease is about to act up) is a common dramatic line. Finally, in the park where elderly people exercise, you might overhear them sharing tips on which exercises are safe for those with 心脏病, such as Tai Chi or slow walking. This word is deeply embedded in the daily life of a society that values longevity and health maintenance.

One of the most frequent mistakes for English speakers is using 心脏病 (xīnzàngbìng) to describe emotional 'heartache.' In English, 'my heart hurts' can mean you are sad or you are having a medical emergency. In Chinese, these are strictly separated. If you say '我的心脏病了' (My heart is sick) when you are sad, a Chinese speaker will likely call an ambulance rather than offer a shoulder to cry on. For emotional pain, use 伤心 (shāngxīn) or 心里难受 (xīnlǐ nánshòu).

Mistake 1: Category Confusion: Using 心脏病 as a verb. It is a noun. You cannot say '我心脏病了.' You must say '我有心脏病' or '我的心脏有病.'
Mistake 2: Character Tone: Mispronouncing 脏 as zāng (1st tone). If you say xīnzāngbìng with a high flat tone on 'zang,' it sounds like 'dirty heart disease,' which makes no sense.

Another common error is the misuse of '发作' (fāzuò - attack/outbreak). While we say 'heart attack' in English, in Chinese, you must say '心脏病发作' (heart disease attack). Just saying '心脏发作' is incorrect because the heart itself doesn't 'attack'; the disease does. Additionally, learners often forget the '脏' (zàng) character and just say '心病' (xīnbìng). While '心病' is a word, it usually refers to a 'mental worry' or 'obsession'—a psychological burden rather than a physiological condition. For example, '解铃还须系铃人' is often said to cure a '心病' (metaphorical worry). If you are talking about the organ, always include '脏'.

While 心脏病 is the general term, there are several related words that learners should distinguish. 心血管疾病 (xīnxuèguǎn jíbìng) is the more comprehensive term for 'cardiovascular disease,' encompassing the heart and the blood vessels. This is frequently used in formal medical journals and health reports. Another specific term is 冠心病 (guānxīnbìng), which is the abbreviation for coronary heart disease, the most common type of 心脏病.

心脏病 vs. 心血管疾病: 心脏病 is specific to the heart organ. 心血管疾病 includes the entire circulatory system. The latter is more scientific.
心脏病 vs. 心病: 心脏病 is physical. 心病 is a psychological 'knot' or a deep-seated worry that affects one's mood.

虽然他没有心脏病，但他的心血管系统不太健康。 (Although he doesn't have heart disease, his cardiovascular system is not very healthy.)

In terms of symptoms, you might use 心律不齐 (xīnlǜ bùqí - arrhythmia) or 心绞痛 (xīnjiǎotòng - angina). If you want to describe the heart beating fast due to nervousness, use 心跳 (xīntiào - heartbeat), as in '我的心跳得很快.' Using the correct level of specificity shows a higher level of Chinese proficiency. In casual settings, people might just say '心脏不好' (the heart is not good) to imply they have heart issues without using the formal word 'disease.' This is a softer way to express the same thing.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '心' in ancient Chinese philosophy was thought to be the seat of both emotion and intellect, which is why so many words related to thinking use the heart radical.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈhɑːt dɪˌziːz/

US /ˈhɑrt dɪˌziz/

Xīn-zàng-bìng (High-Falling-Falling)

Rhymes With

命 (mìng) 定 (dìng) 硬 (yìng) 听 (tīng) 静 (jìng) 镜 (jìng) 性 (xìng) 净 (jìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zàng' as 'zāng' (1st tone).
Missing the 'zàng' and just saying 'xīnbìng'.
Incorrectly placing stress on the last syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are common but '脏' and '病' have several strokes.

Writing 4/5

'病' and '脏' are moderately difficult to write from memory.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say if you get the tones right.

Listening 2/5

Clearly distinguishable in medical contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

心病有医生身体

Learn Next

高血压糖尿病手术检查预防

Advanced

心肌梗死心律失常瓣膜病

Grammar to Know

Using '有' for illnesses

他有心脏病。

Resultative complements with '病'

他累出心脏病来了。

Using '患' for formal contexts

他患有严重的心脏病。

Modifying nouns with '的'

严重的心脏病。

Cause and effect with '导致'

肥胖导致心脏病。

Examples by Level

他有心脏病。

He has heart disease.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

我不希望有心脏病。

I don't want to have heart disease.

Negative structure using '不'.

心脏病很可怕。

Heart disease is very scary.

Using '很' to link noun and adjective.

他的心脏病好了吗？

Is his heart disease better?

Question particle '吗'.

你要小心心脏病。

You need to be careful of heart disease.

'要' used for advice/necessity.

这是心脏病吗？

Is this heart disease?

Identifying something using '是'.

我爸爸没有心脏病。

My dad doesn't have heart disease.

Negation of '有' using '没有'.

心脏病在哪里？

Where is heart disease? (as in, where is it located in the body)

Asking location with '在哪里'.

医生说这是严重的心脏病。

The doctor said this is severe heart disease.

Using '的' to modify the noun.

因为心脏病，他不能跑步。

Because of heart disease, he cannot run.

Using '因为' to show cause.

这种药对心脏病有用。

This medicine is useful for heart disease.

Structure: 对...有用 (useful for...).

他得了轻微的心脏病。

He got a mild case of heart disease.

'得' used as a verb meaning to contract an illness.

心脏病病人需要休息。

Heart disease patients need to rest.

Compound noun: 心脏病 + 病人.

他的心脏病突然发作了。

His heart disease suddenly attacked (He had a heart attack).

'发作' used for the onset of a condition.

我们要预防心脏病。

We need to prevent heart disease.

'预防' as a verb.

你知道什么是心脏病吗？

Do you know what heart disease is?

Indirect question structure.

长期压力大是心脏病的主因。

Long-term high stress is the main cause of heart disease.

'主因' (main cause) used as a formal noun.

他通过运动来预防心脏病。

He prevents heart disease through exercise.

'通过...来...' structure (through... to...).

心脏病发作时要立刻打120。

When heart disease attacks, call 120 immediately.

'时' used for 'when' (shí).

这种饮食习惯容易导致心脏病。

This eating habit easily leads to heart disease.

'导致' (to lead to/result in).

心脏病的症状包括胸痛。

Symptoms of heart disease include chest pain.

'包括' (to include).

他正在接受心脏病治疗。

He is currently undergoing heart disease treatment.

'接受...治疗' (to receive treatment).

定期体检可以发现早期心脏病。

Regular check-ups can detect early-stage heart disease.

'早期' (early stage).

医生建议心脏病患者少吃盐。

The doctor suggests heart disease patients eat less salt.

'建议' (to suggest) followed by a clause.

该研究揭示了心脏病与基因的关系。

The study revealed the relationship between heart disease and genes.

'揭示' (to reveal) and '与...的关系' (relationship with...).

先天性心脏病在婴儿中并不少见。

Congenital heart disease is not uncommon among infants.

'并不少见' (not at all rare).

他因心脏病突发而不幸去世。

He unfortunately passed away due to a sudden heart disease attack.

'因...而...' (because of... then...).

这种新技术能有效治疗心脏病。

This new technology can effectively treat heart disease.

'有效' (effectively) as an adverb.

心脏病已成为全球范围内的一大杀手。

Heart disease has become a major killer worldwide.

'已成为' (has already become).

肥胖是诱发心脏病的重要因素。

Obesity is an important factor in inducing heart disease.

'诱发' (to induce/trigger).

他致力于心脏病预防知识的普及。

He is committed to the popularization of heart disease prevention knowledge.

'致力于' (to be committed to).

心脏病患者应避免剧烈运动。

Heart disease patients should avoid strenuous exercise.

'应' (should) and '避免' (avoid).

心脏病的演变通常是一个漫长的病理过程。

The evolution of heart disease is usually a long pathological process.

'演变' (evolution/progression) and '病理' (pathological).

这种药物的副作用可能会加重心脏病。

The side effects of this drug might worsen heart disease.

'加重' (to worsen/aggravate).

心脏病学的最新进展为患者带来了希望。

The latest advances in cardiology have brought hope to patients.

'心脏病学' (cardiology) and '进展' (progress).

社会心理因素对心脏病的影响不容忽视。

The influence of psychosocial factors on heart disease cannot be ignored.

'不容忽视' (cannot be ignored).

慢性心脏病需要长期的健康管理。

Chronic heart disease requires long-term health management.

'慢性' (chronic) and '健康管理' (health management).

农村地区的心脏病发病率正在上升。

The incidence rate of heart disease in rural areas is rising.

'发病率' (incidence rate).

他撰写了一篇关于心脏病并发症的论文。

He wrote a thesis on the complications of heart disease.

'并发症' (complications).

心脏病防治工作面临着巨大的挑战。

The work of heart disease prevention and control faces huge challenges.

'防治' (prevention and control).

心脏病并非不可战胜，关键在于早期干预。

Heart disease is not invincible; the key lies in early intervention.

'并非' (is not) and '关键在于' (the key lies in).

该政策旨在降低全国范围内的心脏病死亡率。

The policy aims to reduce the heart disease mortality rate nationwide.

'旨在' (aimed at) and '死亡率' (mortality rate).

心脏病的多因素致病机制极其复杂。

The multi-factorial pathogenic mechanism of heart disease is extremely complex.

'致病机制' (pathogenic mechanism).

他从社会学角度分析了心脏病的流行趋势。

He analyzed the prevalence trends of heart disease from a sociological perspective.

'从...角度' (from the perspective of...).

心脏病康复中心为患者提供全方位的支持。

The heart disease rehabilitation center provides all-around support for patients.

'全方位' (all-around/comprehensive).

这一发现颠覆了我们对心脏病成因的认知。

This discovery overturned our understanding of the causes of heart disease.

'颠覆' (to overturn/subvert).

心脏病带来的经济负担已引起政府的高度重视。

The economic burden brought by heart disease has drawn high attention from the government.

'高度重视' (to attach great importance).

通过跨学科合作，心脏病的诊疗水平得到了质的飞跃。

Through interdisciplinary cooperation, the level of heart disease diagnosis and treatment has achieved a qualitative leap.

'质的飞跃' (a qualitative leap).

Common Collocations

患有心脏病

心脏病发作

预防心脏病

严重的心脏病

心脏病专家

先天性心脏病

心脏病史

诱发心脏病

心脏病治疗

死于心脏病

Common Phrases

心脏病病房

— A hospital ward specifically for heart patients.

他在心脏病病房观察。

急性心脏病

— Acute heart disease that comes on suddenly.

急性心脏病非常危险。

慢性心脏病

— Chronic heart disease that lasts a long time.

慢性心脏病需要长期吃药。

心脏病筛查

— Screening or testing for heart disease.

社区提供免费的心脏病筛查。

心脏病手术

— Surgery to treat a heart condition.

他下周要做心脏病手术。

心脏病患者

— A person who suffers from heart disease.

心脏病患者应保持心情愉快。

心脏病预防

— The act of preventing heart issues.

心脏病预防是公共卫生重点。

疑似心脏病

— Suspected heart disease, not yet confirmed.

他是疑似心脏病病例。

复杂的心脏病

— A complicated cardiac condition.

这是一个非常复杂的心脏病案例。

遗传性心脏病

— Heart disease that is passed down through genes.

我们要检查是否有遗传性心脏病。

Often Confused With

心脏病 vs 心病

'心病' is a psychological worry, '心脏病' is a physical disease.

心脏病 vs 伤心

'伤心' is the feeling of sadness, '心脏病' is medical.

心脏病 vs 心跳

'心跳' is the heartbeat itself, not a disease.

Idioms & Expressions

"提心吊胆"

— To be very anxious or scared, literally 'heart raised and gallbladder hanging.'

他整天提心吊胆，生怕心脏病发作。

Colloquial

"胆战心惊"

— To be terrified, literally 'gallbladder shivering and heart startled.'

看到那惊险的一幕，他感到胆战心惊。

Literary

"心如刀割"

— Feeling as if one's heart is being cut by a knife (emotional).

听到噩耗，她心如刀割。

Emotional

"心平气和"

— To be calm and composed, good for heart health.

你应该心平气和地谈谈。

General

"心不在焉"

— Absent-minded, heart is not 'there'.

他听课时心不在焉。

General

"全心全意"

— With all one's heart and soul.

他全心全意地为病人服务。

Formal

"别有用心"

— To have an ulterior motive.

他这样做是别有用心的。

Negative

"口是心非"

— To say one thing but mean another.

他这人总是口是心非。

Negative

"平心而论"

— In all fairness, literally 'discuss with a flat heart.'

平心而论，他做得不错。

General

"称心如意"

— To one's heart's content/satisfaction.

他买到了称心如意的衣服。

General

Easily Confused

心脏病 vs 心疼

Both involve 'heart' and 'pain'.

'心疼' means to feel sorry for someone or to love dearly. '心脏病' is a disease.

我心疼我的孩子。

心脏病 vs 心碎

Both involve 'heart' and 'damage'.

'心碎' is 'heartbroken' (emotional). '心脏病' is physical.

他的背叛让我心碎。

心脏病 vs 心力衰竭

Both are heart issues.

'心力衰竭' is the specific condition of heart failure. '心脏病' is general.

他死于心力衰竭。

心脏病 vs 心律不齐

Both are heart issues.

'心律不齐' is arrhythmia. '心脏病' is the category.

他有轻微的心律不齐。

心脏病 vs 心梗

Short for myocardial infarction.

'心梗' is a specific, acute event. '心脏病' is the disease state.

他突发心梗。

Sentence Patterns

Subject + 有 + 心脏病。

他有心脏病。

Subject + 因为 + 心脏病 + Verb...

他因为心脏病住院了。

Subject + 患有 + Adjective + 的 + 心脏病。

他患有严重的心脏病。

...是 + 预防 + 心脏病 + 的 + 好方法。

运动是预防心脏病的好方法。

...导致 + 心脏病 + 发作。

过度劳累导致心脏病发作。

心脏病 + 对 + ... + 有影响。

心脏病对生活有影响。

...被诊断为 + 心脏病。

他被诊断为先天性心脏病。

针对 + 心脏病 + 的 + 治疗方案...

针对心脏病的治疗方案已经出炉。

Word Family

Nouns

心脏 (heart)

病情 (condition)

病号 (patient)

病房 (ward)

Verbs

生病 (fall ill)

看病 (see a doctor)

治病 (treat illness)

Adjectives

病态 (morbid)

病弱 (sickly)

医生 (doctor)

护士 (nurse)

医院 (hospital)

药 (medicine)

健康 (health)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in health contexts.

Common Mistakes

我心脏病了。 → 我有心脏病。
'心脏病' is a noun, you cannot use it as a verb.
他很伤心，他有心脏病。 → 他很伤心，他心里难受。
Don't use '心脏病' for emotional sadness.
xīnzāngbìng (1st tone on zang) → xīnzàngbìng (4th tone)
Incorrect tone changes the meaning or makes it unintelligible.
心脏发作 → 心脏病发作
The heart doesn't attack, the disease does.
我心病了。 → 我有心脏病。
'心病' means mental worry, not physical heart disease.

Tips

Noun Usage

Remember that '心脏病' is a noun, not an adjective or verb. You must use '有' (have) or '患' (suffer).

Health Talk

In China, it's common for people to openly discuss their health issues, including '心脏病', even with acquaintances.

Tone Check

The 4th tone on 'zàng' and 'bìng' is sharp and falling. Practice them together: zàng-bìng.

Radical Focus

Focus on the 'sickness' radical in '病'. It appears in almost every word related to illness.

Broad Term

Think of '心脏病' like an umbrella. It covers many specific conditions, so it's a safe word to use if you don't know the specific diagnosis.

Key Phrase

Memorize '心脏病发作' for emergencies. It's a life-saving phrase.

Character Meaning

'心' is heart, '脏' is organ. Knowing this helps you remember it's about the physical organ.

Context Clues

If you hear '医院' (hospital) and '心', '心脏病' is likely the topic.

Polite Way

Saying '心脏不太好' is a slightly more polite or indirect way to say you have heart issues.

Vs Cardiovascular

Use '心脏病' for the organ itself, and '心血管' when talking about the whole system.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Xin' as the heart, 'Zang' as the internal organ (sounds like 'song' of the body), and 'Bing' as the 'ping' of a hospital monitor when something is wrong.

Visual Association

Imagine a heart (心) inside a body (脏) with a medical cross (病) on top of it.

Word Web

心脏 (Heart) 疾病 (Disease) 医院 (Hospital) 医生 (Doctor) 发作 (Attack) 预防 (Prevention) 治疗 (Treatment) 健康 (Health)

Challenge

Try to explain to a friend in Chinese three things that can cause '心脏病' (e.g., smoking, stress, bad food).

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '心' (heart) is a pictograph of a heart. '脏' (organ) comes from 'inner parts'. '病' (disease) contains the sickness radical '疒'.

Original meaning: The physical heart organ experiencing a state of illness.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when discussing health; avoid asking someone directly if they have '心脏病' unless you are close or in a medical context.

In English, 'heart disease' is often used as a catch-all term. In Chinese, '心脏病' is equally broad but sounds slightly more clinical.

Medical dramas like 'Hospital Playlist' (translated) Health awareness campaigns in China Traditional Chinese Medicine texts discussing the 'Heart' (though using different terminology)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor's

我有心脏病史。
这是心脏病吗？
怎么预防心脏病？
需要做手术吗？

Discussing Family

我爷爷有心脏病。
他心脏病发作了。
他正在治疗心脏病。
要注意心脏健康。

Reading the News

心脏病死亡率。
心脏病新药。
心脏病专家讲座。
预防心脏病海报。

In an Emergency

他心脏病发作了！
快叫救护车！
他有心脏病。
药在哪里？

At the Gym

心脏病不能剧烈运动。
这个对心脏好。
我有心脏病，慢点。
心跳太快了。

Conversation Starters

"你知道如何预防心脏病吗？"

"你家里有人患有心脏病吗？"

"心脏病发作时应该怎么办？"

"你觉得现在的年轻人容易得心脏病吗？"

"心脏病患者在饮食上要注意什么？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对心脏病预防的看法。

如果你身边有人突然心脏病发作，你会怎么做？

描述一次你在医院看到心脏病病人的经历。

讨论一下为什么现代社会心脏病越来越普遍。

写一封信给患有心脏病的朋友，鼓励他积极治疗。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

You say '心脏病发作' (xīnzàngbìng fāzuò). '发作' means to break out or have an attack.

No, '心病' usually refers to a mental burden or something that worries you deeply, like a secret or a regret.

It is the standard term. In very formal medical papers, you might see '心血管疾病' (cardiovascular disease).

Common verbs are 有 (have), 患 (suffer from), 预防 (prevent), and 治疗 (treat).

You can say '我有心脏病' or '我的心脏不太好'.

No, Chinese doesn't use plurals. Context tells you if it's one or many types.

It is '先天性心脏病' (xiāntiānxìng xīnzàngbìng).

'心脏病医生' or more formally '心内科医生'.

Yes, it is a major health focus due to lifestyle changes and an aging population.

Yes, sometimes people say '你有心脏病吗？' if someone is doing something very shocking or scary, but be careful.