高烧 in 30 Seconds
- 高烧 (gāoshāo) means 'high fever,' typically defined as a body temperature above 39°C in a Chinese medical context.
- It is a noun most commonly used with the verb '发' (fā), as in '发高烧' (to have a high fever).
- It signals a more severe condition than a standard '发烧' (fāshāo) and often implies a need for medical attention.
- Culturally, it is closely associated with drinking hot water and visiting specialized 'fever clinics' in China.
The term 高烧 (gāoshāo) is a vital medical and everyday noun in Mandarin Chinese, specifically referring to a state of 'high fever.' In a clinical sense within Chinese-speaking regions, a fever is typically categorized as 'high' when the body temperature exceeds 39.0°C (102.2°F). The word is composed of two characters: 高 (gāo), meaning high or tall, and 烧 (shāo), which means to burn, to cook, or in a medical context, a fever. When combined, they literally describe a 'high burn,' perfectly capturing the physiological sensation of intense internal heat that accompanies a severe illness.
- Medical Context
- Used by doctors and patients to differentiate a mild temperature from a dangerous one that requires immediate intervention, such as intravenous fluids or strong antipyretics.
- Parental Concern
- Commonly heard in households when children fall ill, often accompanied by the verb '发' (fā - to emit/develop), as in '发高烧'.
- Work/School Absence
- A standard justification for sick leave, implying that the individual is too debilitated to perform daily tasks.
Understanding the threshold of 高烧 is culturally significant. In many Western cultures, a fever might be monitored at home until it reaches a very high point, but in China, 'gaoshao' often triggers an immediate visit to the 'fashao menzhen' (fever clinic). This is because persistent high heat is traditionally viewed as an imbalance that can quickly lead to more severe systemic issues.
孩子昨天半夜突然发了高烧，吓得我们赶紧去了急诊。(The child suddenly developed a high fever in the middle of the night, which scared us into rushing to the emergency room.)
The word is also used metaphorically, though less frequently than in English. While English speakers might say 'fever pitch' for excitement, Chinese speakers use 高烧 primarily for health. However, in specific internet slang or niche hobbies, someone might be described as having a 'fever' for a hobby (like 'audiophile fever' - 发烧友 fāshāoyǒu), but 高烧 specifically remains anchored to the physical state of being dangerously hot due to illness.
如果你的高烧一直不退，一定要去医院做个血检。(If your high fever doesn't subside, you must go to the hospital for a blood test.)
- Symptoms Associated
- Chills (发冷), headache (头痛), and dehydration (脱水) are the typical companions of a high fever in Chinese medical descriptions.
In summary, 高烧 is more than just a temperature reading; it is a signal of urgency. It demands attention, rest, and usually medical intervention. For a learner, mastering this word allows for clear communication during health crises, ensuring that the severity of a condition is not lost in translation.
Using 高烧 (gāoshāo) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs it pairs with. The most common verb is 发 (fā), which means to emit or to manifest. When you say '发高烧' (fā gāoshāo), you are literally saying 'to manifest a high fever.'
- The 'Fa' Construction
- Subject + 发 + 高烧. Example: '我发高烧了' (I have developed a high fever). The '了' (le) at the end indicates a change in state.
- Duration of Fever
- Subject + 发高烧 + Duration. Example: '他发高烧发了三天' (He has had a high fever for three days). Note the repetition of the verb '发' for duration.
- Describing the Fever's State
- Using '退' (tuì - to recede/drop). Example: '高烧终于退了' (The high fever finally broke/dropped).
It is important to note that 高烧 is rarely used as an adjective. You wouldn't say '我的身体很高烧'. Instead, you describe the fever as a condition you 'have' or 'are emitting'. If you want to describe the intensity of the fever, you can use adverbs before the verb, such as '持续' (chíxù - continuously) or '反复' (fǎnfù - repeatedly).
医生，我女儿昨晚持续高烧到四十度，吃药也不管用。(Doctor, my daughter had a continuous high fever of 40 degrees last night, and the medicine didn't work.)
In formal medical reports, you might see 高烧 replaced by '高热' (gāorè), but in spoken communication, 高烧 is the standard. If you are talking to a colleague about why you missed a meeting, you would say: '因为我昨晚突发高烧，所以没能参加会议' (Because I suddenly developed a high fever last night, I couldn't attend the meeting).
由于严重的流感，他已经陷入了昏迷般的高烧状态。(Due to a severe flu, he has fallen into a state of coma-like high fever.)
When asking about someone's condition, you can ask: '他的高烧退了吗？' (Has his high fever subsided?). This uses the noun as the subject of the sentence, focusing on the fever itself as an entity that can come and go.
The word 高烧 (gāoshāo) echoes through specific corridors of daily life in China. The most common location is the 医院 (yīyuàn - hospital), specifically the 发热门诊 (fāshè ménzhěn - fever clinic). In China, these clinics are specialized departments that became even more prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you arrive with a high fever, the triage nurse will immediately direct you here.
- The Triage Desk
- Nurse: '体温多少度？' (What is the temperature?) Patient: '39度5，是高烧。' (39.5, it is a high fever.)
- School Settings
- Teachers often send messages to parent groups: '最近流感严重，如果有孩子发高烧，请务必在家休息。' (Flu is severe lately; if any child has a high fever, please ensure they rest at home.)
You will also hear this word in pharmacy settings (药店 yàodiàn). When buying medicine like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol (often called '退烧药' tuìshāoyào), the pharmacist might ask if the fever is 'gaoshao' to determine the dosage or the necessity of seeing a professional doctor.
药剂师：这药是针对高烧的，一定要按量服用。(Pharmacist: This medicine is for high fevers; make sure to take it according to the dosage.)
In television dramas (especially medical or family dramas), a character's 'gaoshao' is a frequent plot device used to show vulnerability or to force characters to care for one another. The scene usually involves a wet towel on the forehead, symbolizing the fight against the 'high burn.'
她在雨里淋了两个小时，回家就发了高烧。(She was in the rain for two hours and developed a high fever as soon as she got home.)
Finally, in news reports regarding public health crises or seasonal flu outbreaks, health officials will cite the number of 'gaoshao' cases as a metric for the severity of the outbreak. It is a word that signifies both personal distress and public health concern.
While 高烧 (gāoshāo) seems straightforward, learners often stumble on its grammatical categorization and its distinction from similar words. One of the most frequent errors is treating it as an adjective.
- Mistake 1: Using it as an Adjective
- Wrong: '我今天很高烧' (I am very high fever). Correct: '我今天发高烧' (I have a high fever). Remember, 'gaoshao' is a noun; you need the verb 'fa' (to emit) to make it work in this context.
- Mistake 2: Confusing 'Fashao' and 'Gaoshao'
- '发烧' (fāshāo) is the general verb-object for 'to have a fever.' '高烧' is the specific noun for 'high fever.' Learners often say '发高烧' correctly but then try to say '发很烧' (emit very burn), which is incorrect. Use '发高烧' for intensity.
- Mistake 3: Forgetting the measure word or 'le'
- When describing a past event, the '了' (le) is crucial: '他发了场高烧' (He had a [bout of] high fever). Without 'le', the sentence feels incomplete or like a general statement rather than a specific incident.
Another nuance is the distinction between '高烧' and '发热' (fārè). '发热' is a more formal medical term for 'fever' or 'pyrexia.' If you are writing a formal essay or reading a medical journal, you might see '发热'. However, in a conversation, using '发热' instead of '高烧' can sound overly clinical or slightly unnatural.
错误：他感冒了，身体很高烧。(Incorrect: He has a cold, his body is very high fever.)
正确：他感冒了，正在发高烧。(Correct: He has a cold and is running a high fever.)
Finally, be careful with '烧' (shāo) on its own. While '烧' can mean 'fever' in very informal contexts ('他在烧' - He is burning up/has a fever), '高烧' is a fixed term. You cannot say '大烧' or '强烧' to mean a high fever. Stick to 高烧.
To truly master the vocabulary of illness, one must understand where 高烧 (gāoshāo) sits among its linguistic relatives. The spectrum of body temperature in Chinese is quite specific.
- 发烧 (fāshāo)
- The general term for 'fever.' It is a verb-object construction. Use this when you don't know the exact temperature or when it's just a standard fever.
Example: '他有点发烧。' (He has a bit of a fever.) - 低烧 (dīshāo)
- The direct opposite of 高烧. It refers to a 'low-grade fever,' usually between 37.3°C and 38.0°C.
Example: '长期低烧可能是身体有炎症。' (Long-term low-grade fever might mean there is inflammation in the body.) - 发热 (fārè)
- A more formal or scientific term for fever. You'll see this in medical textbooks, thermometer instructions, or hospital signs.
Example: '发热是免疫系统的反应。' (Fever is a reaction of the immune system.) - 高热 (gāorè)
- The formal version of 高烧. It is often used in medical diagnoses like '高热惊厥' (febrile seizures).
Example: '患儿出现高热症状。' (The pediatric patient showed symptoms of high fever.)
When comparing 高烧 to 发烧, think of the difference between 'hot' and 'boiling.' 高烧 carries a sense of danger and urgency that 发烧 does not. If you tell a boss '我发烧了', they might tell you to take it easy. If you say '我发高烧了', they will likely tell you to stay away and see a doctor immediately.
Comparison Chart:
- 低烧 (Low): 37.3 - 38.0°C
- 中烧 (Moderate): 38.1 - 39.0°C (Rarely used, usually just '发烧')
- 高烧 (High): 39.1 - 41.0°C
- 超高热 (Hyperpyrexia): > 41.0°C
In a literary or very informal setting, you might hear '滚烫' (gǔntàng - boiling hot) to describe someone's skin during a high fever, but this is a descriptive adjective, not a medical noun. For example: '他的额头滚烫，显然是发了高烧。' (His forehead is boiling hot; clearly, he has a high fever.)
Pronunciation Guide
- Using the 3rd tone for 'gao' (gǎo), which changes the meaning.
- Pronouncing 'shao' as 'xiao', which is a common mistake for learners of Southern accents.
- Failing to maintain the high pitch for the 1st tone throughout the word.
- Confusing 'shao' (burn) with 'shao' (few - 3rd tone).
- Pronouncing 'ao' as a single 'o' sound.
Examples by Level
我发高烧了。
I have a high fever.
Uses the verb '发' (fā) and the particle '了' (le) for a change of state.
他不舒服，发高烧。
He is not feeling well; he has a high fever.
A simple descriptive sentence.
你有高烧吗？
Do you have a high fever?
Uses '有' (yǒu) which is acceptable in simple A1 questions.
我不能去学校，我发高烧。
I can't go to school; I have a high fever.
Shows cause and effect.
妈妈，我高烧了。
Mom, I have a high fever.
Informal use where '发' is implied.
高烧很危险。
High fever is very dangerous.
Adjective '危险' (wēixiǎn) describing the noun.
多喝水，你发高烧了。
Drink more water; you have a high fever.
Imperative sentence for advice.
医生看高烧。
The doctor looks at the high fever.
Simple SVO structure.
他发了两天高烧。
He had a high fever for two days.
Shows duration of an action.
如果发高烧，要吃药。
If you have a high fever, you should take medicine.
Condition '如果...要...' (if... must...).
我的高烧终于退了。
My high fever finally subsided.
Uses '退' (tuì) meaning to recede.
昨天晚上我发了高烧。
I had a high fever last night.
Time phrase at the beginning.
医生，孩子还在发高烧。
Doctor, the child still has a high fever.
Uses '还在' (háizài) for a continuing state.
高烧让他觉得很累。
The high fever made him feel very tired.
Causative '让' (ràng) construction.
你发高烧多少度？
How many degrees is your high fever?
Asking for specific details.
因为高烧，他没去工作。
Because of the high fever, he didn't go to work.
Uses '因为' (yīnwèi) for reason.
虽然吃了退烧药，但高烧还没退。
Although I took fever-reducing medicine, the high fever still hasn't subsided.
Conjunction '虽然...但...' (although... but...).
这种流感的主要症状是持续高烧。
The main symptom of this flu is a persistent high fever.
Noun phrase as a subject.
他因为发高烧而引起了肺炎。
He developed pneumonia because of the high fever.
Structure '因为...而...' (because of... consequently...).
在发高烧的时候，你应该多休息。
When you have a high fever, you should rest more.
Time clause '...的时候' (when...).
由于高烧不退，医生建议他住院。
Since the high fever wouldn't drop, the doctor suggested he be hospitalized.
Resultative '不退' (won't drop).
这个孩子发高烧发得很厉害。
This child has a very severe high fever.
Degree complement '得' (de).
如果你突然发高烧，请立刻联系医生。
If you suddenly develop a high fever, please contact a doctor immediately.
Conditional '如果...请...'.
高烧可能会导致脱水。
High fever may lead to dehydration.
Auxiliary verb '可能' (kěnéng).
病人由于高烧而出现了意识模糊的现象。
The patient experienced confusion due to the high fever.
Formal structure '由于...而...现象'.
这种病症往往伴随着反复的高烧。
This condition is often accompanied by recurring high fevers.
Verb '伴随' (bànsuí - to accompany).
除非高烧退去，否则他不能出院。
Unless the high fever subsides, he cannot be discharged.
Structure '除非...否则...' (unless... otherwise...).
高烧是身体对抗病毒的一种自然反应。
High fever is a natural reaction of the body against viruses.
Defining a concept using '是...的一种...'.
他昨晚高烧到了40度，情况非常紧急。
He had a high fever of 40 degrees last night; the situation was very urgent.
Using '到' (dào) to indicate a level/limit.
医生正在努力查明高烧的具体原因。
The doctor is working hard to find the specific cause of the high fever.
Present continuous '正在' (zhèngzài).
长时间的高烧对大脑有一定的损伤。
Prolonged high fever has a certain amount of damage to the brain.
Prepositional phrase '对...有...'.
即便高烧退了，也要继续观察几天。
Even if the high fever has subsided, observation must continue for a few days.
Conjunction '即便...也...' (even if... also...).
高烧不退往往预示着更为严重的感染。
A persistent high fever often portends a more serious infection.
Formal verb '预示' (yùshì - to portend).
临床上，高烧被定义为核心体温超过39摄氏度。
Clinically, high fever is defined as a core body temperature exceeding 39 degrees Celsius.
Passive voice '被' (bèi) and technical terms.
高烧引起的惊厥在幼儿中并不罕见。
Convulsions caused by high fever are not uncommon among young children.
Noun phrase as the subject with '引起的' modifier.
面对突如其来的高烧，家属显得有些措手不及。
Faced with a sudden high fever, the family members seemed a bit caught off guard.
Idiom '措手不及' (cuòshǒu-bùjí).
该药物能有效缓解由高烧引发的各种并发症。
This drug can effectively alleviate various complications triggered by high fever.
Formal verb '引发' (yǐnfā - to trigger).
高烧不仅是症状，更是身体发出的警报。
High fever is not just a symptom, but an alarm issued by the body.
Structure '不仅是...更是...' (not only... but even more...).
在某些极端情况下，高烧会导致器官功能衰竭。
In some extreme cases, high fever can lead to organ failure.
Complex prepositional phrase '在...情况下'.
对于不明原因的高烧，必须进行全面筛查。
For high fever of unknown origin, a comprehensive screening must be conducted.
Formal construction '对于...必须...'.
高烧作为一种全身性炎症反应综合征的表现，其机制极其复杂。
As a manifestation of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, the mechanism of high fever is extremely complex.
Highly technical and academic vocabulary.
尽管高烧具有一定的免疫防御功能，但过度的高热则会损害细胞结构。
Although high fever has a certain immune defense function, excessive hyperpyrexia can damage cellular structures.
Nuanced contrast using '尽管...但...'.
在流行病学研究中，高烧的流行率是衡量疫情严重程度的关键指标之一。
In epidemiological studies, the prevalence of high fever is one of the key indicators for measuring the severity of an epidemic.
Use of '衡量' (héngliáng - to measure) and '指标' (zhǐbiāo - indicator).
高烧往往伴随着代谢率的剧增，这对心血管系统构成了巨大压力。
High fever is often accompanied by a sharp increase in metabolic rate, which poses great pressure on the cardiovascular system.
Verb '构成' (gòuchéng - to constitute/pose).
医生必须精准权衡退烧药的使用，以免掩盖高烧背后的真实病因。
Doctors must precisely weigh the use of antipyretics to avoid masking the true etiology behind the high fever.
Use of '以免' (yǐmiǎn - so as to avoid) and '掩盖' (yǎngài - to mask).
高烧后的虚脱感往往源于电解质失衡及水分的大量流失。
The feeling of collapse after a high fever often stems from electrolyte imbalance and massive loss of water.
Formal verb '源于' (yuányú - to stem from).
这种罕见病毒的临床特征之一便是突发且难以遏制的高烧。
One of the clinical features of this rare virus is a sudden and hard-to-contain high fever.
Use of '遏制' (èzhì - to contain/restrain).
对高烧患者的护理需兼顾物理降温与药物干预，以达到最佳疗效。
Care for patients with high fever needs to balance physical cooling and pharmacological intervention to achieve optimal therapeutic effect.
Formal construction '兼顾...与...' (give equal consideration to... and...).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— A fever that remains high and does not drop. Often used to describe a dangerous situation.
由于高烧不退，他被送进了急诊室。
— To have or develop a high fever. The most common way to use the word.
我今天发高烧，不能去上班。
— Medicine specifically used to reduce a fever. Essential for 'gaoshao' treatment.
家里还有退烧药吗？
— To be delirious or confused because of a high fever. Literally 'burned into a muddle'.
他发高烧烧糊涂了，都在说胡话。
— Using physical methods (like wet towels) to lower a high fever.
除了吃药，物理降温也很重要。
— A specific clinic room for fever patients. Often visited for 'gaoshao'.
请去二楼的发热诊室排队。
— Thermometer. The tool used to confirm 'gaoshao'.
用体温计测量一下，看是不是高烧。
— To get an IV drip. A very common treatment for 'gaoshao' in China.
他因为高烧正在医院打点滴。
— Influenza. A common cause of 'gaoshao'.
这次流感导致很多人发高烧。
— Convulsions. A dangerous potential result of 'gaoshao' in children.
幼儿高烧时要预防惊厥。
Idioms & Expressions
— Burning severely; having a very high fever. Common spoken idiom.
这孩子烧得厉害，脸都红了。
Informal— Head heavy, feet light. Describes the dizzy feeling during a high fever.
发了高烧后，我觉得头重脚轻。
Neutral— Whole body without strength. A classic symptom accompanying gaoshao.
高烧让他浑身无力。
Neutral— To talk nonsense. Often happens during a high fever delirium.
他烧到了40度，开始胡言乱语。
Neutral— Dripping with sweat. Often happens when a high fever 'breaks'.
高烧退了以后，他大汗淋漓。
Literary— Face red, ears flushed. Describes the physical appearance of gaoshao.
他发着高烧，面红耳赤。
Neutral— As hot as boiling water or fire. Used in old literature for high fever.
他的额头热如汤火。
Literary— The disease has reached the vitals. Metaphorically for any severe illness, including high fever complications.
如果不及时治高烧，可能会病入膏肓。
Formal— On the verge of death. Describes extreme weakness from prolonged high fever.
持续的高烧让他变得奄奄一息。
Literary— Cold hands and feet. Paradoxically happens at the start of a high fever.
虽然在发高烧，但他却手足冰凉。
NeutralWord Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
Word Origin
The term is a compound of '高' (high) and '烧' (fever/burn). '高' dates back to oracle bone script, depicting a tall building. '烧' contains the 'fire' radical (火), indicating its relation to heat and combustion.
Original meaning: Literally 'High Burn.'
Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese).Summary
The word <span class='font-bold'>高烧</span> (gāoshāo) is your go-to term for describing a serious fever. Remember to use the verb <span class='font-bold'>发</span> (fā) instead of 'have.' For example: '我发高烧了' (I developed a high fever).
- 高烧 (gāoshāo) means 'high fever,' typically defined as a body temperature above 39°C in a Chinese medical context.
- It is a noun most commonly used with the verb '发' (fā), as in '发高烧' (to have a high fever).
- It signals a more severe condition than a standard '发烧' (fāshāo) and often implies a need for medical attention.
- Culturally, it is closely associated with drinking hot water and visiting specialized 'fever clinics' in China.
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.
