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A2 noun #8,000 most common 12 min read

传染病

chuánrǎnbìng Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 传染病 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 传染病 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the big word 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) every day. Instead, you focus on the basics of being sick. You learn words like 生病 (shēngbìng - to get sick) and 感冒 (gǎnmào - a cold). However, it is useful to know that 传染病 means a sickness you can catch from someone else. Think of it like this: if your friend has a cold and then you get a cold, that is the 'chuánrǎn' (transmission) part. At this level, just remember that 传染病 is a 'catching sickness.' You might see this word on a sign at a doctor's office or on a bottle of hand sanitizer. The most important thing is to recognize the characters. 传 (chuán) looks like a person standing next to a specialized tool, and 病 (bìng) has the 'sickness' radical on top (疒). If you see that radical, it usually means something related to being unwell. Use it simply: '这是传染病吗？' (Is this an infectious disease?). This helps you stay safe and understand basic health warnings.

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about more specific topics like health and daily routines. 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) becomes a very useful word for explaining why you are staying home or why you are wearing a mask. You should learn to pair it with simple verbs like 预防 (yùfáng - prevent). For example, '洗手可以预防传染病' (Washing hands can prevent infectious diseases). You also learn that some diseases spread through the air (空气) or water (水). At this level, you can distinguish between a general illness and one that can spread. You might use it when talking about school or work rules: '如果你有传染病，不要来学校' (If you have an infectious disease, don't come to school). This shows you understand the social aspect of the word—that it affects other people, not just you. You should also be able to recognize the word in simple news headlines about the flu season or health tips.

By B1, you can have more detailed conversations about public health. You use 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) to discuss social issues, such as the importance of vaccines (疫苗) and the role of hospitals. You understand that 传染病 is a formal classification. You can describe how a disease spreads using words like 传播 (chuánbō - spread) and 感染 (gǎnrǎn - infect). For example, '这种传染病传播得很快' (This infectious disease spreads very quickly). You are also able to read short articles about medical history or health advice that use this term. You start to see the word in compound forms like 传染病科 (Department of Infectious Diseases). At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in a sentence to explain a situation: '因为传染病流行，大家都戴上了口罩' (Because an infectious disease is prevalent, everyone put on masks). You are moving beyond just 'being sick' to understanding the 'mechanics' of how diseases move through a community.

At the B2 level, you use 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) in academic or professional discussions. You can talk about the 'Law on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases' (传染病防治法) and discuss government policies. You understand the difference between 传染病 and 流行病 (epidemic) or 慢性病 (chronic disease). You can use complex sentence structures to discuss the impact of these diseases on the economy or global travel. For instance, '传染病的爆发对全球旅游业造成了巨大冲击' (The outbreak of infectious diseases has caused a huge impact on the global tourism industry). You can also discuss the 'incubation period' (潜伏期) and 'symptoms' (症状) of various 传染病. You are expected to use the word with precision, distinguishing between bacterial and viral infections in your explanations. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 隔离 (isolation), 消毒 (disinfection), and 免疫力 (immunity). You can follow a lecture or a detailed news report about a health crisis without much difficulty.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) in historical, scientific, and sociological contexts. You can discuss the evolution of infectious diseases and the history of human immunology. You might use the word in metaphorical ways or in high-level debates about public health ethics vs. personal freedom. You can read medical journals or government white papers that use 传染病 in highly technical ways, such as discussing 'Category A' vs. 'Category B' diseases. You understand the nuance of how 传染 (transmission) differs from 感染 (infection) in a clinical setting. You can write essays or give presentations on the global response to 传染病, using sophisticated connectors and specialized vocabulary. You might analyze how the term 传染病 is used in literature to represent social decay or 'infectious' ideologies. Your command of the word is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in professional settings.

At the C2 level, you master the word 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) across all registers. You can engage in expert-level discussions on epidemiology, medical law, and international health regulations. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and historical references related to plagues (瘟疫) and how they shaped the Chinese language. You can interpret the subtle connotations of using 传染病 in political rhetoric or philosophical discourse. You might analyze how the concept of 'contagion' is used in financial markets (financial 传染病) or social media (viral content). You can switch effortlessly between clinical medical terminology and common street parlance. You understand the deep cultural fears and historical traumas associated with certain 传染病 in the Chinese-speaking world. Your ability to use the word is flexible, precise, and culturally informed, allowing you to navigate any conversation about health, history, or society with absolute confidence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

传染病 in 30 Seconds

A noun meaning 'infectious disease' or 'contagious disease' in Chinese.
Composed of 传 (transmit), 染 (infect/dye), and 病 (disease).
Used in medical, social, and academic contexts to discuss health risks.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'prevent' (预防) and 'spread' (传播).

The term 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) is a fundamental medical and social term in Chinese, literally translating to 'transmission-dye-disease.' It refers to any illness caused by a specific agent—such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites—that can be passed from one living being to another. Understanding this word requires looking at its constituent parts: 传 (chuán) means to pass on or transmit, 染 (rǎn) means to dye or catch, and 病 (bìng) is the general term for illness. Together, they describe the process of a sickness 'staining' or 'spreading' through a population. In modern Chinese society, this word gained immense prominence during the SARS and COVID-19 eras, moving from technical medical journals into everyday household conversation.

Biological Context: It specifically refers to diseases that are communicable. This distinguishes them from non-communicable diseases like diabetes or heart disease, which are termed 慢性病 (mànxìngbìng) or chronic diseases.

预防传染病最好的方法是勤洗手。 (The best way to prevent infectious diseases is to wash your hands frequently.)

When people use this word, they are often discussing public health, safety protocols, or medical history. It carries a weight of collective responsibility. Unlike a simple 'cold' (感冒), calling something a 传染病 suggests a need for quarantine, vaccination, or widespread awareness. It is used by doctors when diagnosing a patient with something like hepatitis or tuberculosis, and by government officials when issuing health warnings. The word is clinical but accessible; even children in China are taught about 传染病 in primary school health classes to encourage hygiene habits.

Social Context: In social settings, mentioning a 传染病 often triggers a response of caution. It is frequently paired with verbs like 预防 (yùfáng - prevent), 控制 (kòngzhì - control), and 爆发 (bàofā - break out).

历史上有很多致命的传染病。 (There have been many deadly infectious diseases in history.)

Beyond the physical, the word is occasionally used metaphorically in literature and media to describe 'infectious' ideas or emotions, though this is less common than in English. Usually, if you hear 传染病, it's about biology. It covers everything from the common flu (when discussed in a health context) to more severe illnesses like malaria or cholera. The nuances of the word are deeply tied to the 'Law on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases' in China, which categorizes diseases into Classes A, B, and C based on their severity and speed of spread.

学校通知说最近有传染病流行。 (The school notice said there is an infectious disease circulating recently.)

Scientific Precision: Unlike 'sickness' (生病), which is a state of being, 传染病 is a classification. You don't 'be' a 传染病; you 'have' one, 'spread' one, or 'study' one.

医生正在研究这种新型传染病。 (Doctors are currently studying this new type of infectious disease.)

我们必须阻止传染病的蔓延。 (We must stop the spread of the infectious disease.)

Using 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) correctly involves pairing it with specific verbs and measure words. As a noun, it functions as the subject or object of a sentence. Because it refers to a category of illness, you will often find it modified by adjectives like 'deadly' (致命的), 'new' (新型), or 'seasonal' (季节性的). In Chinese grammar, it is often used with the measure word 种 (zhǒng) which means 'kind' or 'type,' as in 这种传染病 (this kind of infectious disease).

Common Verb Pairings: The most common verbs associated with 传染病 include 患 (huàn - to suffer from), 染上 (rǎnshàng - to catch), 预防 (yùfáng - to prevent), and 传播 (chuánbō - to spread).

他不幸染上了一种罕见的传染病。 (He unfortunately caught a rare infectious disease.)

When discussing the spread of a disease, you use the structure [Subject] + 传播 + 传染病. If you are talking about medical intervention, you might use 治疗 (zhìliáo - to treat) or 根除 (gēnchú - to eradicate). Note that 传染 itself can act as a verb meaning 'to infect' or 'to be contagious,' but 传染病 is strictly the noun for the disease itself. For example, you can say '这个病会传染' (This disease is contagious), but you cannot say '这个病会传染病.'

Categorization: In formal contexts, diseases are categorized. You might hear '甲类传染病' (Category A infectious disease), which refers to the most dangerous ones like plague or cholera.

政府发布了关于传染病的红色警报。 (The government issued a red alert regarding the infectious disease.)

In everyday speech, if someone says '那里有传染病' (There is an infectious disease there), they are giving a warning to stay away. It is also used in the context of travel health, where you might need to prove you don't have certain diseases. The phrase 传染病检查 (infectious disease check-up) is common for visa applications or work permits. In these cases, the word acts as a modifier for the noun 'check-up.'

这种传染病主要通过水源传播。 (This infectious disease is mainly transmitted through water sources.)

Professional Usage: Medical professionals use it as a formal classification. For instance, '传染病学' (chuánrǎnbìngxué) is the study of infectious diseases (Epidemiology/Infectiology).

我们需要加强对传染病的监测。 (We need to strengthen the monitoring of infectious diseases.)

并不是所有的传染病都很危险。 (Not all infectious diseases are very dangerous.)

You will encounter 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) in a variety of real-world settings in China, ranging from high-stakes news broadcasts to routine daily interactions. The most common place is likely the 新闻 (xīnwén - news). Whenever there is a health crisis, the 'Infectious Disease' statistics are reported daily. During the flu season, news anchors will discuss the current 传染病 situation to warn the public to wear masks (戴口罩) and avoid crowded places. You'll hear phrases like '传染病高发期' (high incidence period for infectious diseases).

In Hospitals and Clinics: If you visit a large Chinese hospital (医院), you will see signs for the '传染病科' (Department of Infectious Diseases). This is usually a separate building or a restricted wing to prevent cross-infection. If a doctor suspects a patient has something contagious, they will use this word to explain why the patient needs to be isolated (隔离).

请到传染病科挂号。 (Please register at the Department of Infectious Diseases.)

In 学校 (xuéxiào - schools), the word is used during health checks. If a child has hand-foot-and-mouth disease or chickenpox, the school will send a notice to all parents using the term 传染病 to emphasize the seriousness of keeping sick children at home. It’s a word that prompts immediate action from parents and teachers alike. You might also hear it in 机场 (jīchǎng - airports) or 海关 (hǎiguān - customs). When entering China, you often have to fill out a health declaration form that asks if you have been in contact with any 传染病.

Public Service Announcements: Posters in subways or community centers often display '传染病防治知识' (Knowledge on the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases). These posters usually include illustrations of handwashing and vaccination.

海关正在加强对境外传染病的检疫。 (Customs is strengthening the quarantine of overseas infectious diseases.)

Finally, you will hear it in 影视作品 (yǐngshì zuòpǐn - films and TV). Dramas about doctors or historical plagues will use 传染病 as a central plot point. It creates tension and high stakes. Whether it's a documentary about the eradication of smallpox or a fictional movie about a zombie virus, the term 传染病 is the scientific anchor for the narrative. In these contexts, the word is often spoken with a tone of urgency or clinical detachment.

这部纪录片讲述了人类对抗传染病的历史。 (This documentary tells the history of humanity's fight against infectious diseases.)

Daily Conversation Warning: If a friend says, '最近传染病很多，出门小心' (There are many infectious diseases lately, be careful when going out), they are likely referring to the seasonal flu or a common cold outbreak.

社区正在组织传染病疫苗接种。 (The community is organizing infectious disease vaccinations.)

这种传染病的潜伏期很长。 (The incubation period of this infectious disease is very long.)

One of the most frequent errors learners make is confusing the noun 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng) with the verb/adjective 传染 (chuánrǎn). While '传染' means 'to infect' or 'contagious,' '传染病' is the name of the 'disease' itself. You can say '这个病传染性很强' (This disease is highly contagious), but you cannot say '这个病传染病很强.' It is a category error. Another mistake is using the wrong measure word. For specific instances of disease, people often mistakenly use '个' (gè) instead of the more appropriate '种' (zhǒng) for types or '场' (chǎng) for outbreaks.

Confusing with 疾病 (jíbìng): 疾病 is the general word for 'disease' or 'illness.' Learners often use 传染病 when they just mean any sickness. Remember: all 传染病 are 疾病, but not all 疾病 are 传染病. If you have a headache, it's a 疾病, but definitely not a 传染病.

❌ 我得了一个传染病。 (I got an infectious disease - sounds too dramatic if you just have a cold).
✅ 我感冒了。 (I caught a cold.)

Learners also struggle with the passive voice. In English, we say 'I was infected by the disease.' In Chinese, it is more natural to say '我被传染了' (I was infected) or '我染上了这种传染病' (I caught this infectious disease). Using 传染病 as a verb is a common structural error. Additionally, some learners forget that 传染病 is a formal term. In a very casual setting, saying '我有传染病' might sound like you are a biohazard. It's better to name the specific illness, like '我流感了' (I have the flu).

Usage of 流行 (liúxíng): 流行 means 'popular' or 'prevalent.' When paired with 传染病, it means 'epidemic.' Don't confuse it with 流行音乐 (pop music)! '流行的传染病' means a disease that is currently spreading widely.

❌ 他是一个传染病。 (He is an infectious disease - logically impossible).
✅ 他患有传染病。 (He suffers from an infectious disease.)

Finally, be careful with the word '传染' in metaphorical contexts. While English speakers 'infect' others with laughter, in Chinese, the word 感染 (gǎnrǎn) is much more common for positive things like emotions. Using 传染病 for laughter would sound like the laughter is a literal virus that needs medical quarantine. Stick to 传染病 for biological threats to avoid sounding unintentionally funny or overly clinical.

这种传染病是通过空气传播的，不是通过接触。 (This infectious disease is spread through the air, not through contact.)

Social Sensitivity: Calling someone's illness a 传染病 can carry a stigma. Use the specific name of the illness if possible to be more polite and precise.

我们要科学地认识传染病，不要恐慌。 (We should understand infectious diseases scientifically and not panic.)

并不是所有发烧都是由传染病引起的。 (Not all fevers are caused by infectious diseases.)

To truly master 传染病 (chuánrǎn bìng), you must understand how it compares to related terms in the medical and general lexicon. Chinese has several words for illness, each with a different nuance of severity, origin, or scope. The most common alternative is 疾病 (jíbìng), which is the umbrella term for any disease. While 传染病 is a subset of 疾病, 疾病 covers everything from broken bones to cancer. Another related term is 流行病 (liúxíngbìng), which refers to an 'epidemic'—a disease that is currently spreading among a large number of people in a community.

传染病 vs. 流行病: 传染病 defines the nature of the disease (it can spread), while 流行病 defines the status of the disease (it IS spreading widely right now). A rare infectious disease might not be a 流行病 yet.

虽然这是一种传染病，但它还没有变成流行病。 (Although this is an infectious disease, it has not yet become an epidemic.)

Then there is 瘟疫 (wēnyì), a more dramatic and historical term for 'plague.' You would hear 瘟疫 in historical dramas or when describing devastating pandemics like the Black Death. It carries a much stronger emotional weight than the clinical 传染病. For minor contagious illnesses, like a cold or a slight stomach bug, people often use 小病 (xiǎobìng) or simply name the symptom, like 拉肚子 (lādùzi - diarrhea). Using 传染病 for a simple stomach ache would be considered an exaggeration.

Chronic vs. Infectious: Contrast 传染病 with 慢性病 (mànxìngbìng - chronic disease). Chronic diseases like hypertension are not contagious. Understanding this distinction is vital for medical forms.

现代社会的健康威胁不仅来自传染病，也来自慢性病。 (Health threats in modern society come not only from infectious diseases but also from chronic diseases.)

For the act of catching the disease, use 感染 (gǎnrǎn) or 传染 (chuánrǎn) as verbs. '感染' is more formal and often used in medical reports, while '传染' is common in daily speech. If you want to say someone is 'immune,' you use 免疫 (miǎnyì). If you want to describe a disease that is 'hereditary,' use 遗传病 (yíchuánbìng). Knowing these allows you to categorize any health issue you encounter. Lastly, 病毒 (bìngdú - virus) and 细菌 (xìjūn - bacteria) are the causes of 传染病, so they are frequently found in the same sentences.

这种传染病是由一种新型病毒引起的。 (This infectious disease is caused by a new type of virus.)

Summary Comparison: 传染病 (Communicable) vs. 慢性病 (Chronic) vs. 遗传病 (Genetic) vs. 流行病 (Epidemic).

接种疫苗是预防许多传染病的有效手段。 (Vaccination is an effective means of preventing many infectious diseases.)

科学家们致力于根除这类全球性传染病。 (Scientists are committed to eradicating these types of global infectious diseases.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '染' (rǎn) for infection is a beautiful metaphor. Just as dye permanently changes the color of fabric, an infection was seen as something that 'stained' the body's health.

Pronunciation Guide

UK tʃʰu̯an³⁵ ʐan²¹⁴ piŋ⁵¹

US tʃʰu̯an³⁵ ʐan²¹⁴ piŋ⁵¹

The primary stress is on the third syllable 'bìng', but each tone must be clearly articulated.

Rhymes With

船 (chuán) 传 (chuán) 眼 (yǎn - slant rhyme) 脸 (liǎn - slant rhyme) 定 (dìng) 命 (mìng) 庆 (qìng) 幸 (xìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'chuán' as 'chuān' (1st tone instead of 2nd).
Mispronouncing 'rǎn' as 'rán' (forgetting the dipping 3rd tone).
Merging 'n' and 'ng' at the end of 'chuán' and 'bìng'.
Failing to aspirate the 'ch' in 'chuán'.
Pronouncing 'bìng' with a soft 'b' like 'p'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but very common in news and signs.

Writing 4/5

Writing '染' and '病' requires attention to stroke order and radicals.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to pick out in medical contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

生病感冒医生医院洗手

Learn Next

流行病疫苗预防隔离免疫

Advanced

病原体潜伏期并发症抗生素流行病学

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements (染上)

他染上了感冒。 (He caught a cold.)

Passive Voice with 被 (被传染)

我被他传染了。 (I was infected by him.)

Using 通过 for Medium (通过空气)

病毒通过空气传播。 (The virus spreads through the air.)

Compound Nouns (传染病学)

他大学学的是传染病学。 (He studied epidemiology in college.)

Negative Structure 并不是

这并不是一种严重的传染病。 (This is not a serious infectious disease.)

Examples by Level

这是传染病吗？

Is this an infectious disease?

Simple question structure [Noun] + 是 + [Noun] + 吗?

他有传染病。

He has an infectious disease.

Standard Subject + Verb + Object.

传染病很可怕。

Infectious diseases are scary.

Subject + Adverb + Adjective.

我们要预防传染病。

We need to prevent infectious diseases.

Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Verb + Object.

洗手可以防止传染病。

Washing hands can prevent infectious diseases.

Verb Phrase + Auxiliary + Verb + Object.

医院里有传染病。

There are infectious diseases in the hospital.

Location + 里 + 有 + Object.

这种传染病叫什么？

What is this infectious disease called?

Determiner + Measure Word + Noun + Verb + What.

我不怕传染病。

I am not afraid of infectious diseases.

Negation using 不.

学校通知有传染病流行。

The school notified us of an infectious disease outbreak.

Subject + Verb + Object (which is a clause).

这种传染病会通过空气传播。

This infectious disease can spread through the air.

Use of 通过 (through) to show the medium.

生病的人要和大家隔离，防止传染病。

Sick people should be isolated to prevent infectious diseases.

Use of 和...隔离 (isolate from...).

医生在研究这种新型传染病。

The doctor is studying this new type of infectious disease.

Progressive aspect with 在.

他染上了一种传染病。

He caught a type of infectious disease.

Resultative complement 染上 (catch/stain onto).

我们需要更多关于传染病的知识。

We need more knowledge about infectious diseases.

Use of 关于 (about) to modify a noun.

并不是所有的病都是传染病。

Not all illnesses are infectious diseases.

Partial negation with 并不是.

预防传染病是每个人的责任。

Preventing infectious diseases is everyone's responsibility.

Verb phrase as the subject.

为了控制传染病，政府关闭了市场。

In order to control the infectious disease, the government closed the market.

Use of 为了 (in order to) for purpose.

这种传染病的症状包括发烧和咳嗽。

The symptoms of this infectious disease include fever and cough.

Subject + 包括 (includes) + List.

科学家们正在开发针对这种传染病的疫苗。

Scientists are developing a vaccine against this infectious disease.

Use of 针对 (targeting/against).

历史上，传染病曾导致许多人死亡。

In history, infectious diseases have caused many deaths.

Use of 导致 (lead to/cause).

如果你怀疑自己得了传染病，请立刻就医。

If you suspect you have an infectious disease, please see a doctor immediately.

Conditional sentence with 如果...请...

这家医院设有专门的传染病病房。

This hospital has a specialized infectious disease ward.

Use of 设有 (is equipped with).

我们要养成良好的卫生习惯，远离传染病。

We should develop good hygiene habits and stay away from infectious diseases.

Use of 远离 (stay away from).

这种传染病的潜伏期通常是两周。

The incubation period for this infectious disease is usually two weeks.

Technical term 潜伏期 (incubation period).

传染病的蔓延对国家经济造成了严重影响。

The spread of infectious diseases has caused a serious impact on the national economy.

Subject + 对...造成...影响.

根据传染病防治法，这种疾病必须上报。

According to the Law on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, this disease must be reported.

Use of 根据 (according to).

全球化加速了跨境传染病的传播。

Globalization has accelerated the transmission of cross-border infectious diseases.

Subject + 动词 (加速) + 宾语 (传播).

虽然疫情得到了控制，但我们不能对传染病掉以轻心。

Although the epidemic is under control, we cannot take infectious diseases lightly.

Concessive clause with 虽然...但...

有效的监测系统可以及早发现传染病爆发。

An effective monitoring system can detect infectious disease outbreaks early.

Use of 及早 (early/as soon as possible).

公共卫生专家正在讨论如何应对新型传染病。

Public health experts are discussing how to respond to new infectious diseases.

Subject + 正在讨论 + Clause.

抗生素的滥用可能导致某些传染病变得难以治疗。

The abuse of antibiotics may lead to some infectious diseases becoming difficult to treat.

Use of 导致...变得...

该地区的传染病发病率在过去十年中有所下降。

The incidence of infectious diseases in this area has declined over the past decade.

Use of 有所 (to some extent).

传染病不仅是生物学挑战，更是社会治理的考验。

Infectious diseases are not only a biological challenge but also a test of social governance.

Not only... but also... structure (不仅...更是...).

通过跨学科研究，我们能更好地理解传染病的动力学。

Through interdisciplinary research, we can better understand the dynamics of infectious diseases.

Technical term 动力学 (dynamics).

历史上，传染病往往伴随着战争和饥荒。

In history, infectious diseases were often accompanied by war and famine.

Use of 伴随着 (accompanied by).

我们需要建立一个更加公平的全球传染病预警机制。

We need to establish a more equitable global infectious disease early warning mechanism.

Complex noun phrase with modifiers.

在某些文学作品中，传染病被用作社会道德沦丧的隐喻。

In some literary works, infectious diseases are used as metaphors for social moral decay.

Passive structure with 被用作 (be used as).

气候变化可能会改变某些媒介传播传染病的地理分布。

Climate change may change the geographical distribution of certain vector-borne infectious diseases.

Technical term 媒介传播 (vector-borne).

公众对传染病的认知往往受到媒体报道方式的影响。

Public perception of infectious diseases is often influenced by the way the media reports them.

Subject + 受到...的影响 (be influenced by).

根除天花是人类历史上对抗传染病的最伟大胜利之一。

The eradication of smallpox is one of the greatest victories in human history against infectious diseases.

One of the... structure (...之一).

在后疫情时代，传染病大流行的风险依然悬在人类头顶。

In the post-pandemic era, the risk of an infectious disease pandemic still hangs over humanity.

Idiomatic expression 悬在头顶 (hang over one's head).

传染病的演化是病原体与宿主免疫系统之间博弈的结果。

The evolution of infectious diseases is the result of a game between pathogens and the host immune system.

Metaphorical use of 博弈 (game/play).

我们必须警惕传染病引发的社会排斥和歧视现象。

We must be alert to social exclusion and discrimination caused by infectious diseases.

Formal verb 警惕 (be alert to).

从流行病学角度看，传染病的控制依赖于群体免疫的建立。

From an epidemiological perspective, the control of infectious diseases depends on the establishment of herd immunity.

Phrase 从...角度看 (from the perspective of).

传染病的跨境传播凸显了构建人类卫生健康共同体的重要性。

The cross-border transmission of infectious diseases highlights the importance of building a global community of health for all.

Political/Formal term 人类卫生健康共同体.

对传染病病原体的基因测序为精准防控提供了科学依据。

Genetic sequencing of infectious disease pathogens provides a scientific basis for precise prevention and control.

Formal term 为...提供科学依据.

传染病的历史不仅是死亡史，更是科学技术与公共卫生的进步史。

The history of infectious diseases is not just a history of death, but a history of progress in science, technology, and public health.

Parallel structure 不仅是...更是...

面对突发传染病，及时的信息透明化是稳定民心的关键。

In the face of sudden infectious diseases, timely information transparency is the key to stabilizing the public mind.

Abstract noun phrase as the subject.

Common Collocations

预防传染病

患传染病

传染病防治

新型传染病

致命传染病

传染病爆发

传染病医院

接触传染病

传染病监测

全球性传染病

Common Phrases

传染病科

— The infectious disease department in a hospital.

他在传染病科工作。

传染病法

— The law governing disease control.

公民应当遵守传染病法。

急性传染病

— An acute infectious disease that hits quickly.

这是一种严重的急性传染病。

人畜共患传染病

— Zoonotic diseases (spread from animals to humans).

狂犬病是人畜共患传染病。

输入性传染病

— Imported infectious diseases from abroad.

海关拦截了输入性传染病。

传染病史

— A history of infectious diseases in a person or population.

医生询问了他的传染病史。

传染病源

— The source of an infectious disease.

寻找传染病源是首要任务。

传染病报告

— A formal report of a disease case.

医院提交了传染病报告。

呼吸道传染病

— Respiratory infectious diseases like the flu.

冬天要预防呼吸道传染病。

肠道传染病

— Intestinal infectious diseases often from food/water.

夏天要注意肠道传染病。

Often Confused With

传染病 vs 传染 (chuánrǎn)

This is the verb/adjective; 传染病 is the noun.

传染病 vs 疾病 (jíbìng)

General term for disease; 传染病 is a specific type.

传染病 vs 流行病 (liúxíngbìng)

An epidemic; a disease that is actively spreading.

Idioms & Expressions

"病从口入"

— Illness enters through the mouth; watch what you eat.

俗话说病从口入，饮食卫生很重要。

Common

"染于苍则苍"

— If you are dyed blue, you become blue; influenced by surroundings.

环境对人的影响很大，真是染于苍则苍。

Literary

"防患于未然"

— Prevent trouble before it happens.

我们要防患于未然，提前接种疫苗。

Formal

"不治之症"

— An incurable disease.

在过去，这种传染病是不治之症。

Neutral

"死里逃生"

— To narrowly escape death (often from disease).

在那场传染病中，他死里逃生。

Common

"同病相怜"

— People with the same illness pity each other.

他们都患了同一种病，真是同病相怜。

Common

"药到病除"

— The medicine works as soon as it is taken.

这种新药能让传染病药到病除。

Common

"病入膏肓"

— The disease has reached the vitals; incurable/hopeless.

这家公司的管理已经病入膏肓了。

Literary/Metaphorical

"大难不死"

— To survive a great disaster (like a plague).

大难不死，必有后福。

Common

"患难与共"

— To share trials and tribulations.

在传染病期间，大家患难与共。

Formal

Easily Confused

传染病 vs 感染

Both relate to catching a disease.

感染 is the biological process of being infected; 传染 is the act of passing it from A to B.

他伤口感染了 (His wound is infected) - not a 传染病.

传染病 vs 发炎

Both involve being sick.

发炎 is inflammation (redness/swelling); it is not necessarily infectious.

我的喉咙发炎了。

传染病 vs 过敏

Both can cause rashes or sneezing.

过敏 is an allergy; it is never a 传染病.

我对花粉过敏。

传染病 vs 遗传

Both are ways to 'get' a disease.

遗传 is from parents' genes; 传染 is from germs in the environment.

这是遗传病。

传染病 vs 慢性

Both describe disease types.

慢性 means chronic/long-term; most 传染病 are acute/short-term.

高血压是慢性病。

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] 怕 [传染病]

小孩子很怕传染病。

[Action] 可以预防 [传染病]

洗手可以预防传染病。

因为 [Reason], 所以 [传染病] 流行

因为天气冷，所以传染病流行。

这种 [传染病] 的症状是 [Symptoms]

这种传染病的症状是发烧。

[传染病] 对 [Object] 造成了影响

传染病对旅游业造成了影响。

根据 [Law/Rule], [Action]

根据传染病法，我们要上报病例。

[传染病] 伴随着 [Social Issue]

传染病往往伴随着贫困。

[传染病] 被用作 [Metaphor]

传染病常被用作道德堕落的隐喻。

Word Family

Nouns

传染病 (infectious disease)

传染源 (source of infection)

传染性 (infectiousness)

Verbs

传染 (to infect/transmit)

染上 (to catch)

感染 (to infect)

Adjectives

传染性的 (infectious)

易感的 (susceptible)

病毒 (virus)

细菌 (bacteria)

疫苗 (vaccine)

隔离 (isolation)

卫生 (hygiene)

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in winter and spring months.

Common Mistakes

这个病很传染病。 → 这个病传染性很强。
You cannot use the noun 'infectious disease' as an adjective. You must use 'infectious property' (传染性).
我被传染病了。 → 我被传染了。
The passive marker '被' should be followed by a verb (传染), not the noun (传染病).
他传染病我。 → 他把病传染给了我。
传染 is not a simple transitive verb like 'hit.' You usually use the '把' construction or '传染给'.
一种传染病的人。 → 一名传染病患者。
To refer to a person with the disease, use the formal '患者' (patient) instead of just '人'.
感冒不是传染病。 → 感冒也是一种传染病。
Learners often think only 'scary' diseases are 传染病. Scientifically, any transmissible illness counts.

Tips

Noun vs. Verb

Always remember 传染病 is the noun. If you want to say 'it spreads,' use the verb 传播 or 传染.

Radical Recognition

The 疒 radical in 病 is your best friend. It appears in almost every word related to sickness (疼, 痛, 瘦, 痒).

Public Health

In China, public health notices are very common. Learning this word helps you navigate daily life safely during flu seasons.

Prefixes

You can add '新型' (xīnxíng - new type) before 传染病 to talk about emerging viruses like COVID-19.

Context Clues

If you hear '疫苗' (vaccine) or '隔离' (quarantine), the word 传染病 is likely nearby.

Measure Words

Use '场' (chǎng) when talking about an outbreak event, e.g., '一场传染病' (an outbreak of disease).

Tone Accuracy

Mastering the falling 4th tone on 'bìng' makes you sound much more like a native speaker.

Hospital Navigation

Knowing 传染病科 can save you time and keep you away from high-risk areas if you are just there for a check-up.

Health Forms

This word frequently appears on visa and entry health declaration forms. Knowing it is a must for travelers.

Abstract Usage

While rare, authors use 传染病 to describe 'toxic' social trends. Be aware of this in advanced literature.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a person (亻) carrying a message (传) that dyes (染) everyone's skin blue with a sickness (病).

Visual Association

Visualize a drop of red dye (infection) falling into a glass of clear water (a healthy population) and spreading until everything is red.

Word Web

Flu Mask Hospital Virus Vaccine Hygiene Isolation Doctor

Challenge

Try to explain to a friend why you are wearing a mask using the word 传染病 in a full sentence.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '传' (chuán) originally depicted a person and a specialized tally used for messaging, signifying transmission. '染' (rǎn) depicts water, wood, and nine, originally referring to the multiple dippings required to dye cloth. '病' (bìng) features the 'sickness' radical (疒) and a phonetic component (丙).

Original meaning: The characters individually refer to passing something on, staining or catching a color/trait, and being ill.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 传染病 with individuals who have chronic illnesses, as the term can sometimes carry a social stigma of 'impurity' or 'danger' in traditional contexts.

In English, 'contagious' and 'infectious' are often used interchangeably in casual speech, but in Chinese, 传染病 is the standard term for both in a medical sense.

The movie 'Contagion' (传染病 in some translations) The book 'The Plague' by Albert Camus (瘟疫/传染病 themes) The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic reports

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

传染病科在哪儿？
我需要做传染病检查吗？
这个病会传染吗？
医生，这是传染病吗？

In the News

传染病爆发
控制传染病的蔓延
新型传染病毒
传染病发病率

At School

预防传染病通知
请假条：患传染病
学校消毒预防传染病
学生体检

At the Airport/Customs

健康申明卡
你有传染病史吗？
来自传染病疫区
海关检疫

Daily Conversation

最近传染病很多
别被传染了
戴口罩防传染病
洗手防病

Conversation Starters

"你听说最近有一种新型传染病在流行吗？ (Have you heard there's a new infectious disease circulating lately?)"

"在你们国家，最常见的传染病是什么？ (In your country, what is the most common infectious disease?)"

"你觉得预防传染病最有效的方法是什么？ (What do you think is the most effective way to prevent infectious diseases?)"

"为了预防传染病，你出门会戴口罩吗？ (Do you wear a mask when going out to prevent infectious diseases?)"

"你小时候接种过预防传染病的疫苗吗？ (Did you receive vaccines to prevent infectious diseases when you were a child?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你或者你认识的人患上传染病的经历，以及是如何康复的。 (Describe an experience where you or someone you know caught an infectious disease and how they recovered.)

你认为政府在控制传染病方面应该承担什么样的责任？ (What responsibilities do you think the government should bear in controlling infectious diseases?)

讨论科技（如疫苗和大数据）如何改变了人类对抗传染病的方式。 (Discuss how technology, such as vaccines and big data, has changed the way humans fight infectious diseases.)

如果世界上不再有传染病，生活会有什么不同？ (If there were no more infectious diseases in the world, how would life be different?)

谈谈你对‘病从口入’这句话的理解，以及它与传染病的关系。 (Talk about your understanding of the phrase 'illness enters through the mouth' and its relationship with infectious diseases.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, yes, because it is caused by a virus and can spread. However, in casual Chinese, people just call it '感冒' and reserve '传染病' for more serious or noteworthy illnesses like the flu or hepatitis.

You can say '我染上了一种传染病' (Wǒ rǎnshàngle yī zhǒng chuánrǎn bìng). It sounds quite formal.

The most common measure word is '种' (zhǒng), meaning 'kind' or 'type.' For example, '这一种传染病' (this kind of infectious disease).

Yes, but '感染' (gǎnrǎn) is much more common for emotions like happiness or sadness. '他的快乐感染了大家' is better than using 传染.

Yes, it is officially classified as a '乙类传染病' (Category B Infectious Disease) but managed as '甲类' (Category A) during peak times in China.

Ask: '这个病传染吗？' (Zhège bìng chuánrǎn ma?) or '这个病有传染性吗？'

传染 focuses on the biological infection of a person. 传播 focuses on the wide-scale spreading through a population or medium.

Look for signs that say '传染病科' (Chuánrǎnbìng kē) or sometimes '感染科' (Gǎnrǎn kē).

No, it can also refer to diseases among animals, such as '禽流感' (Bird Flu), which is an animal 传染病 that can sometimes jump to humans.

It is a neutral, clinical word. However, telling someone '你有传染病' (You have an infectious disease) can be very blunt and potentially offensive. It's better to be specific.