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B1 verb #8,000 most common 9 min read

输液

shūyè Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 输液 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 输液 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '输液' (shūyè) means 'to get an IV' or 'to get medicine through a needle in the hospital.' You might hear this if you go to a doctor in China. It is a combination of two parts: '输' (to transport) and '液' (liquid). You can think of it like 'moving liquid into the body.' A simple sentence would be '我在医院输液' (I am getting an IV at the hospital). You don't need to worry about the grammar of how to split the word yet. Just remember that it is something you do when you are very sick and need to stay in the hospital for a few hours. It is different from '打针' (dǎzhēn), which is just a quick shot. '输液' takes a long time, and you have to sit still.

At the A2 level, you should recognize '输液' as a common treatment in Chinese hospitals. You should be able to tell a doctor '我想输液' (I want an IV) or understand when they say '你需要输液' (You need an IV). You might also start to see how it's used with time, like '输液两个小时' (to have an IV for two hours). It's important to know the difference between '输液' and '吃药' (taking medicine). In China, if you have a fever (发烧), people often suggest '输液' because they think it works faster. You can also use the colloquial term '打点滴' (dǎ diǎndī) which means the same thing. Practice using it in simple 'Subject + Verb' sentences to describe health situations.

At the B1 level, you should understand '输液' as a verb-object construction (离合词). This means you can put things in the middle of '输' and '液'. For example, if you want to say 'I got an IV for three days,' you say '输了三天液' (shū le sān tiān yè). This level also requires understanding the cultural context: why is '输液' so common in China compared to other countries? You should be able to discuss the pros and cons of this treatment. You will encounter related words like '护士' (nurse), '药水' (liquid medicine), and '过敏' (allergy). You should also be comfortable using '输完液' to describe finishing the process. If you are describing a day at the hospital, '输液' will be a key vocabulary word for your narrative.

At the B2 level, you can use '输液' in more complex discussions about healthcare policy and medical ethics. You might talk about '过度输液' (excessive infusion) and how some hospitals are now banning IV drips for common colds to prevent antibiotic resistance. You should be able to use the word in formal contexts, such as '静脉输液' (intravenous infusion), and understand technical terms like '输液反应' (infusion reaction) or '输液速度' (infusion rate). You can also use it metaphorically in business or economics, though this is rare (e.g., '给公司输液' – to inject funds into a company, though '注资' or '输血' is more common for this). You should be able to read medical brochures or news articles that discuss the '输液' phenomenon in China.

At the C1 level, your mastery of '输液' should include a deep understanding of its nuances in medical literature and social commentary. You should be able to analyze the linguistic structure of the term and its synonyms like '挂水' or '打点滴' across different dialects and registers. You can discuss the sociological reasons behind the 'infusion culture' in China, including patient expectations and the hospital's financial incentives. In a professional medical setting, you would use '输液' alongside specific pharmacological terms, discussing '输液泵' (infusion pumps) or '输液港' (implantable ports). Your ability to use the word should be indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the use of resultative and directional complements in complex sentence structures.

At the C2 level, '输液' is a basic term that you use effortlessly within high-level discourse on medical science, public health administration, and cultural history. You can critique academic papers on the efficacy of '输液' versus oral administration in various clinical trials. You understand the historical evolution of the term and its place in the modernization of Chinese medicine. You might use the word in creative writing to evoke the sterile, quiet atmosphere of a hospital ward. Your understanding extends to the most obscure collocations and the ability to explain the term to others in a variety of contexts, from teaching medical students to debating health insurance reforms. You are also aware of the subtle differences in how the term is used in mainland China versus Taiwan or Hong Kong.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

输液 in 30 Seconds

输液 (shūyè) is the Chinese word for receiving an IV drip, a very common medical treatment in China for various illnesses.
It is a verb-object construction that can be split to include duration, such as '输了三小时液'.
While formal, it is used daily in hospitals; the colloquial alternative is '打点滴' (dǎ diǎndī).
Culturally, it represents a more intensive level of care than just taking oral medication.

The term 输液 (shūyè) is a cornerstone of medical vocabulary in Chinese-speaking regions, specifically referring to the process of receiving fluid, medication, or nutrients directly into a vein. While the literal translation is 'to transport liquid,' it is most commonly understood as 'getting an IV drip.' In the context of the Chinese healthcare system, this word carries a weight that often surprises Westerners. Unlike in many Western countries where intravenous therapy is reserved for severe dehydration, emergencies, or specific hospital treatments, 输液 is a frequent sight in Chinese outpatient clinics for relatively common ailments like the flu or a high fever.

Literal Meaning: The character '输' means to transport or convey, and '液' means liquid or fluid. Together, they describe the physiological act of fluid transfer.

医生建议我输液，因为我的烧一直不退。 (The doctor suggested I get an IV drip because my fever won't go down.)

When you visit a Chinese hospital (医院), you will often see a dedicated room called the '输液室' (shūyè shì), filled with rows of chairs where patients of all ages sit while connected to hanging bags of saline or glucose mixed with antibiotics or antivirals. This cultural phenomenon is colloquially referred to as '吊瓶' (diàopíng), meaning 'hanging bottle.' Using the word 输液 marks a transition from simple home care to professional medical intervention. It implies a level of severity that requires more than just oral medication (吃药). For an English speaker, understanding 输液 is essential for navigating medical situations, explaining health needs to a doctor, or understanding why a colleague might be absent for several hours.

Medical Context: Used primarily in clinics and hospitals to discuss the administration of IV fluids.

孩子感冒很严重，正在输液。 (The child has a very bad cold and is currently getting an IV drip.)

The word is also used in more technical or emergency settings. For instance, in an ambulance (救护车) or an ICU (重症监护室), 输液 is a critical life-saving procedure. However, for most learners, the encounter will be in the outpatient setting. It is important to distinguish 输液 from '打针' (dǎzhēn - to give/get an injection). While both involve needles, '打针' usually refers to a quick shot in the arm or buttocks, whereas 输液 involves a sustained flow over a period of time, usually thirty minutes to several hours.

Common Collocations: 输液器 (IV set), 输液瓶 (IV bottle), 停止输液 (stop the infusion).

护士，输液快完了。 (Nurse, the IV drip is almost finished.)

Using 输液 in a sentence requires understanding its role as a verb-object construction (though it often functions as a single verb unit). Because it describes a process that takes time, it is frequently paired with aspect markers like '在' (zài - currently) or '了' (le - completed). For example, '他在输液' (He is getting an IV). If you want to specify the duration, you would say '输了两个小时的液' (Got an IV for two hours), where the duration is placed between '输' and '液'.

Pattern 1: Basic Action: Subject + (正在/要) + 输液. Example: 我要去输液 (I need to go get an IV).

如果你觉得不舒服，我们可以去医院输液。 (If you feel unwell, we can go to the hospital for an IV drip.)

Another common way to use 输液 is in the context of a doctor's recommendation. You will often hear '需要输液' (need an IV) or '建议输液' (suggest an IV). In passive or descriptive contexts, you might see '输液中' (shūyè zhòng) on a sign or a chart, meaning 'infusion in progress.' When talking about the equipment, the term '输液管' (shūyè guǎn - IV tube) is used. If the IV is leaking or painful, you might say '输液的地方很疼' (The place where the IV is inserted is painful).

Pattern 2: Duration/Frequency: 输 + Duration + (的) + 液. Example: 输了三天液 (Received IV drips for three days).

我昨天在诊所输液输到了半夜。 (I was getting an IV at the clinic until midnight yesterday.)

When discussing the medical necessity, you might encounter the phrase '过度输液' (guòdù shūyè), which means 'excessive use of IV drips.' This is a hot topic in Chinese public health discussions. In formal medical reports, 输液 is used to describe the administration route: '静脉输液' (jìngmài shūyè - intravenous infusion). For daily life, simply '输液' is sufficient. If you are a patient, you might need to ask: '输液要多久？' (How long will the IV take?).

Pattern 3: With Resultative Complements: 输完液 (Finished the IV). Example: 输完液我们就回家 (We'll go home after the IV is finished).

护士正在给病人输液。 (The nurse is currently giving the patient an IV drip.)

The most common place to hear 输液 is within the walls of a hospital (医院) or a community health center (社区卫生服务中心). If you are waiting in the '门诊' (outpatient department), the intercom might announce names of patients to go to the '输液室.' Doctors will use it when discussing treatment plans: '你的情况需要输液治疗' (Your condition requires IV treatment). It is also a staple of workplace conversations. If a colleague is missing, someone might say, '他感冒了，去医院输液了' (He has a cold and went to the hospital for an IV).

Hospital Signage: Look for '输液大厅' (Infusion Hall) or '成人输液室' (Adult Infusion Room) in any major Chinese hospital.

王经理今天请假了，他在医院输液呢。 (Manager Wang took today off; he's at the hospital getting an IV.)

In Chinese TV dramas, especially medical dramas or family soaps, 输液 is a frequent plot device to show a character is genuinely ill or overworked. You'll see characters sitting with a '吊瓶' while still trying to work on a laptop or talk on the phone. In news reports, you might hear about '输液安全' (infusion safety) or '取消门诊输液' (canceling outpatient IV drips), as some provinces in China are trying to reduce the overuse of antibiotics delivered via IV for minor illnesses.

新闻报道说，这家医院已经取消了普通的门诊输液。 (The news report says this hospital has already canceled regular outpatient IV drips.)

Social media platforms like WeChat or Xiaohongshu are also places where you'll see this word. People often post photos of their hands with an IV needle, captioned with something like '又来输液了' (Back for another IV drip) to garner sympathy or explain their absence. It is such a common part of life that it has become a visual shorthand for being 'sick but recovering.' Even in schools, teachers might mention that a student is '去输液了' to explain an empty desk.

Emergency Situations: In trauma cases, paramedics will shout '快，建立静脉通道，开始输液！' (Quick, establish a venous line and start the infusion!)

他在朋友圈发了一张正在输液的照片。 (He posted a photo on his Moments of himself getting an IV drip.)

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing 输液 with 打针 (dǎzhēn). While both involve needles, '打针' is a general term for any injection (intramuscular, subcutaneous, etc.), whereas 输液 specifically refers to the drip process. If you tell a doctor '我要打针' when you actually want an IV, they might just give you a quick shot in the arm. Conversely, saying '我要输液' for a simple vaccination would be incorrect.

Mistake 1: Confusing with Injection: Using '打针' for a 2-hour drip process. Correct: 输液.

错误：护士给我打针打了一个小时。 (Wrong: The nurse gave me an injection for an hour.)
正确：护士给我输液输了一个小时。 (Correct: The nurse gave me an IV for an hour.)

Another mistake is the grammatical placement of duration. As mentioned, 输液 is a verb-object phrase. You cannot say '输液了两个小时' as easily as '输了两个小时的液.' While the former is sometimes heard in casual speech, the latter is more grammatically standard for verb-object structures. Additionally, avoid using '喝' (hē - drink) or '吃' (chī - eat) for IV fluids, even though it's 'liquid.' You must use '输' (shū - transport).

Mistake 2: Incorrect Verb: Using '进' or '加' instead of '输'. Correct: 输.

错误：他正在输液着。 (Wrong: He is 'IV-ing'.)
正确：他正在输液。 (Correct: He is receiving an IV.)

Lastly, learners often forget that 输液 can be both the act of receiving and the act of giving the IV. Context determines if the subject is the patient or the medical professional. For example, '医生在给他输液' (The doctor is giving him an IV) vs. '他在医院输液' (He is receiving an IV at the hospital). Don't feel the need to add extra words to specify 'receiving' unless it's unclear.

Mistake 3: Over-complicating the Subject: Trying to use '接受' (receive) with 输液. It's simpler to just say '输液'.

错误：我接受了输液。 (Awkward: I accepted an IV.)
正确：我输液了。 (Natural: I got an IV.)

To expand your medical vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 输液 with other methods of treatment. The most common alternative is 吃药 (chīyào - to take medicine), which usually refers to oral pills or syrups. In many cases, a doctor might ask '你是想吃药还是输液？' (Do you want to take medicine or get an IV?). Another related term is 打点滴 (dǎ diǎndī), which is the most common colloquial synonym for 输液. It literally means 'to hit the little drops,' referring to the dripping fluid in the IV chamber.

输液 vs. 打点滴: 输液 is formal and medical; 打点滴 is informal and very common in daily conversation.

奶奶不喜欢输液，她宁愿吃药。 (Grandma doesn't like getting IVs; she'd rather take medicine.)

Then there is 打针 (dǎzhēn), which we've discussed. It is a broader term. If you are specifically talking about a blood transfusion, the word is 输血 (shūxuè), following the same pattern: '输' (transport) + '血' (blood). If someone is being fed through a tube (not necessarily a vein), you might hear 鼻饲 (bísì - nasal feeding), though this is much more clinical. For those interested in the technical side, 静脉注射 (jìngmài zhùshè) is the formal term for 'intravenous injection,' usually a single shot rather than a drip.

输液 vs. 输血: 输液 is for saline/medicine; 输血 is specifically for blood products.

医生说打针太慢了，直接输液吧。 (The doctor said an injection is too slow; let's go straight to an IV drip.)

Finally, when discussing the end of the process, 拔针 (bázhēn - to pull out the needle) is the specific action taken once the 输液 is complete. Understanding these distinctions helps you sound more like a native speaker and ensures you can follow instructions in a medical environment accurately. Whether you use the formal 输液 or the colloquial 打点滴, you will be well-understood in any Chinese-speaking hospital.

Summary of Alternatives: 1. 打点滴 (Common/Spoken) 2. 挂水 (Regional/Spoken) 3. 静脉滴注 (Technical/Formal).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '输' also means 'to lose' (as in a game). However, in '输液', it solely retains its ancient meaning of 'transporting' or 'donating'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK ʃuː jɛ̂

US ʃu jeɪ

Primary stress is on the first syllable 'shū', but the 4th tone on 'yè' gives it significant emphasis.

Rhymes With

书 (shū) 输 (shū) 叶 (yè) 夜 (yè) 液 (yè) 业 (yè) 舒 (shū) 叔 (shū)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'yè' as 'yé' (rising tone) like 'yeah?'.
Making 'shū' too short; it should be held longer as a 1st tone.
Confusing 'yè' with 'yuè' (moon/month).
Missing the 'sh' aspiration and saying 'sū'.
Pronouncing 'shū' with a 3rd tone (shǔ).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Characters are moderately complex but common in daily life.

Writing 4/5

The character '输' has many strokes and is easy to miswrite.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward for B1 learners.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in a medical context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

医生医院药病水

Learn Next

过敏抗生素诊断挂号住院

Advanced

静脉注射临床表现副作用医疗改革

Grammar to Know

Verb-Object (VO) Separation

输了(Verb) 三个小时 (Duration) 液(Object)

Directional Complements

药水输进去了 (The medicine has been infused in).

Resultative Complements

输完液 (Finished the infusion).

Passive voice with '被'

他被要求去输液。

Topic-Comment Structure

那个液，我已经输完了。

Examples by Level

他在医院输液。

He is getting an IV at the hospital.

Simple Subject + Location + Verb structure.

我不喜欢输液。

I don't like getting an IV.

Negative '不' before the verb.

你要输液吗？

Do you need an IV?

Question with '吗'.

输液很疼吗？

Is the IV drip painful?

Adjective '疼' used with the action.

护士在输液。

The nurse is giving an IV.

Subject is the performer of the action.

医生说要输液。

The doctor said an IV is needed.

Reported speech using '说'.

输液要多久？

How long will the IV take?

Asking about duration.

他输液了。

He got an IV.

Completed action with '了'.

我感冒了，去医院输液。

I have a cold, I'm going to the hospital for an IV.

Sequence of events.

输液比吃药快。

Getting an IV is faster than taking medicine.

Comparison using '比'.

他在输液室坐着。

He is sitting in the infusion room.

Location '输液室' used as a noun.

输液的时候不能乱动。

You can't move around while getting an IV.

'的时候' meaning 'while'.

药水输完了吗？

Is the liquid medicine finished?

Resultative complement '完'.

我今天输了两个小时液。

I got an IV for two hours today.

Duration placed inside the verb-object.

这里可以输液吗？

Can I get an IV here?

Asking about possibility with '可以'.

输液后感觉好多了。

I feel much better after the IV.

'后' meaning 'after'.

医生建议我输液，因为烧太高了。

The doctor suggested an IV because my fever is too high.

Using '因为' to give a reason.

他连续输了三天液，病才好。

He got IVs for three consecutive days before he got better.

Use of '才' to show something happened late/after effort.

输液时要注意观察是否有过敏反应。

While getting an IV, one must watch for allergic reactions.

Formal instruction style.

输液管里好像有气泡。

There seem to be air bubbles in the IV tube.

Using '好像' for 'it seems'.

如果输液快完了，请叫护士。

If the IV is almost finished, please call the nurse.

Conditional '如果...请...' structure.

他怕打针，更怕输液。

He's afraid of injections, and even more afraid of IVs.

Comparison with '更'.

由于过度输液，他的血管变得很难找。

Due to excessive IVs, his veins have become hard to find.

Using '由于' to show cause.

输完液后，他直接回公司上班了。

After finishing the IV, he went straight back to work at the office.

Sequence of actions with '直接'.

为了减少抗生素滥用，许多医院取消了门诊输液。

To reduce antibiotic abuse, many hospitals have canceled outpatient IV drips.

Purpose clause with '为了'.

静脉输液是临床治疗中非常重要的手段。

Intravenous infusion is a very important method in clinical treatment.

Formal academic tone.

护士熟练地为病人进行了输液操作。

The nurse skillfully performed the infusion procedure for the patient.

Adverbial '熟练地'.

输液过程中，病人出现了寒战和发热。

During the infusion, the patient developed chills and a fever.

'过程中' meaning 'during the process'.

我们需要根据病人的体重来调整输液速度。

We need to adjust the infusion rate based on the patient's weight.

'根据...来...' structure.

这种药物必须通过输液的方式给药。

This medication must be administered via IV infusion.

Using '方式' to describe the method.

长期输液可能会对血管造成损伤。

Long-term IV therapy may cause damage to the veins.

Expressing possibility with '可能会'.

他在输液的时候还在处理工作邮件。

He was still handling work emails while getting an IV.

Simultaneous actions.

公众对‘能吃药不打针，能打针不输液’的用药原则缺乏足够认识。

The public lacks sufficient awareness of the medication principle 'if you can take pills don't get a shot, if you can get a shot don't get an IV'.

Complex noun phrase as an object.

该政策的出台旨在规范基层医疗机构的输液行为。

The introduction of this policy aims to standardize infusion practices in primary healthcare institutions.

Formal '旨在' meaning 'aims to'.

输液反应的预防与处理是护理工作中的重中之重。

The prevention and handling of infusion reactions is a top priority in nursing work.

Idiomatic '重中之重'.

医生通过输液泵精确控制药液的输入量。

The doctor precisely controls the amount of liquid medicine infused using an infusion pump.

Describing precision and control.

这种治疗方案涉及大剂量的静脉输液。

This treatment plan involves high-dose intravenous infusion.

Using '涉及' to show involvement.

在急救现场，迅速建立输液通道至关重要。

At an emergency scene, quickly establishing an infusion line is vital.

Using '至关重要' for 'vital'.

尽管输液见效快，但也存在较高的安全风险。

Although IV drips show quick results, they also carry high safety risks.

Concessive '尽管...但也...' structure.

我们需要对输液室的卫生环境进行严格监控。

We need to strictly monitor the sanitary environment of the infusion room.

Formal '进行' with a noun-verb.

滥用输液不仅浪费医疗资源，还可能导致耐药菌的滋生。

The abuse of IV drips not only wastes medical resources but also may lead to the growth of drug-resistant bacteria.

Correlative '不仅...还...'.

从社会心理学角度看，患者对输液的依赖反映了对‘快餐式’医疗的追求。

From a socio-psychological perspective, patients' dependence on IV drips reflects a pursuit of 'fast-food style' healthcare.

Complex analytical sentence structure.

该研究探讨了输液微粒对人体微循环的潜在影响。

The study explores the potential impact of infusion microparticles on human microcirculation.

Academic '探讨' and '潜在'.

输液作为一种侵入性操作，其必要性应由专业医师严格把关。

As an invasive procedure, the necessity of IV infusion should be strictly controlled by professional physicians.

Using '作为' and '把关'.

在某些偏远地区，输液甚至被误认为是一种‘营养补充’方式。

In some remote areas, IV drips are even mistakenly perceived as a form of 'nutritional supplement.'

Passive nuance with '被误认为'.

政府正通过医保杠杆来遏制不合理的输液需求。

The government is using health insurance leverage to curb unreasonable demand for IV drips.

Metaphorical use of '杠杆'.

输液泵的智能化升级显著提升了临床给药的安全性。

The intelligent upgrade of infusion pumps has significantly enhanced the safety of clinical drug administration.

High-level vocabulary like '智能化' and '显著提升'.

对输液过程的全面质量管理是现代医院建设的重要组成部分。

Comprehensive quality management of the infusion process is an important component of modern hospital construction.

Complex subject phrase.

Common Collocations

输液室

输液管

输液泵

输液反应

停止输液

门诊输液

连续输液

输液速度

过度输液

输液瓶

Common Phrases

输完液

— To have finished the IV drip. Used when telling someone you are ready to leave.

我输完液就给你打电话。

正在输液

— Currently receiving an IV drip. Common explanation for someone's absence.

他正在输液，没法接电话。

输液治疗

— IV treatment. A more formal way to describe the medical course.

他正在接受输液治疗。

输液大厅

— Infusion hall. The large room in a hospital where IVs are administered.

输液大厅里坐满了人。

输点儿液

— To get a bit of an IV. A casual way to suggest or describe the action.

医生说最好输点儿液。

输液器

— IV set/apparatus. The technical name for the tubing and needle set.

一次性输液器非常安全。

输液费

— Infusion fee. The cost associated with the procedure on a bill.

单子上列出了输液费。

输液袋

— IV bag. The plastic bag containing the fluid.

输液袋挂在架子上。

输液架

— IV pole/stand. The stand that holds the IV bags.

他推着输液架在走廊散步。

开始输液

— To start the infusion. Usually said by a nurse.

现在我们开始输液。

Often Confused With

输液 vs 打针

General injection vs. IV drip. '打针' is faster.

输液 vs 输血

Blood transfusion vs. fluid/medicine infusion.

输液 vs 服药

Formal word for taking oral medicine.

Idioms & Expressions

"对症下药"

— To prescribe the right medicine for an illness. Used metaphorically to solve a problem correctly.

虽然他在输液，但关键还是要对症下药。

Formal/Literary

"药到病除"

— The medicine acts and the disease is cured. Used to praise a doctor's skill.

希望这次输液能让他药到病除。

Formal/Literary

"救人一命，胜造七级浮屠"

— Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Used in serious medical contexts.

医生通过及时输液救了他的命，真是救人一命胜造七级浮屠。

Literary/Religious origin

"起死回生"

— To bring back the dead. Used for miraculous medical recoveries.

紧急输液让这个病人起死回生。

Literary

"头疼医头，脚疼医脚"

— Treating only the symptoms. Often used to criticize medical practices like unnecessary IVs.

不能只是输液，这种头疼医头的方式不行。

Colloquial/Critical

"病从口入"

— Illness enters by the mouth. Used to emphasize hygiene.

虽然他在输液，但也要记住病从口入，以后注意饮食。

Proverb

"久病成医"

— Long illness makes a doctor. Used for patients who know a lot about their own treatment.

他经常输液，简直是久病成医了。

Colloquial

"无可救药"

— No medicine can save it. Used for hopeless situations (often not medical).

这台电脑已经无可救药了，输液也没用。

Idiomatic/Metaphorical

"死马当活马医"

— Treat a dead horse as if it were alive. Trying every possible cure in a desperate situation.

医生说只能输液试试，死马当活马医吧。

Colloquial

"心病还须心药医"

— Heart sickness requires medicine for the heart. Meaning psychological issues can't be cured by physical means like IVs.

输液治不好他的忧郁，心病还须心药医。

Literary/Common

Easily Confused

输液 vs 打针

Both involve needles.

打针 is a quick injection (like a vaccine); 输液 is a continuous drip over time.

我今天打了一针，没输液。

输液 vs 输血

Both use the character '输'.

输血 is specifically for blood; 输液 is for saline or liquid medicine.

手术中需要紧急输血。

输液 vs 吃药

Both are ways to take medicine.

吃药 is oral; 输液 is intravenous.

吃药太慢，医生建议输液。

输液 vs 挂水

Synonyms.

挂水 is regional/colloquial; 输液 is standard Mandarin.

南方人常说‘挂水’。

输液 vs 注射

Technical medical terms.

注射 is the general term for injection; 输液 is specifically infusion.

皮下注射和静脉输液不同。

Sentence Patterns

我在 + 医院 + 输液。

我在医院输液。

我想 + 输液。

我想输液。

输了 + [Time] + 液。

输了两个小时液。

输完液 + 就 + [Action]。

输完液就回家。

根据 + [Condition] + 调整输液。

根据病情调整输液。

通过 + 输液 + [Result]。

通过输液补充水分。

旨在 + 规范 + 输液行为。

旨在规范输液行为。

反映了 + 对...的 + 追求。

反映了对快捷医疗的追求。

Word Family

Nouns

液体 (yètǐ - liquid)

输液器 (shūyèqì - infusion set)

输液管 (shūyèguǎn - IV tube)

Verbs

输入 (shūrù - to input/import)

输出 (shūchū - to output/export)

运输 (yùnshū - to transport)

Adjectives

液态的 (yètài de - liquid state)

打针 (dǎzhēn)

吃药 (chīyào)

医院 (yīyuàn)

护士 (hùshi)

生病 (shēngbìng)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in mainland China, especially in winter months.

Common Mistakes

Using '吃' or '喝' with 输液. → 使用 '输'.
Even though it's liquid medicine, you 'transport' (输) it intravenously, you don't 'eat' or 'drink' it.
Confusing 输液 with 打针. → Use 输液 for drips, 打针 for shots.
They are different procedures. An IV drip takes much longer than a simple injection.
Saying '输液了三个小时'. → 输了三个小时液。
In verb-object compounds, the duration usually goes between the verb and the object.
Writing '树叶' (leaves) instead of '输液'. → 输液.
They are homophones but have completely different meanings and characters.
Using '输液' for a blood transfusion. → 输血.
The object must match the substance being transported. 液 is for fluid/medicine, 血 is for blood.

Tips

Separating the Word

Remember that '输液' can be split. You say '输了两个小时液' instead of '输液了两个小时' for better grammar.

Hospital Etiquette

In a Chinese infusion hall, it's common to see people eating, talking, or even working. It's a social space!

Watch the Bubbles

If you see air bubbles in the '输液管' (tube), immediately call a nurse.

Synonyms

Learn '打点滴' and '挂水' to understand different regional dialects.

Asking for Help

Memorize '护士，麻烦拔一下针' (Nurse, please pull out the needle) for when you finish.

The Character '输'

The '车' radical on the left indicates transport. Think of it as a car delivering medicine to your veins.

Tones Matter

Don't confuse 'shūyè' with 'shūyè' (leaves - written as 树叶). Context is key!

Alternatives

If you prefer pills, tell the doctor: '我不想输液，可以开点药吗？'

The 'ye' sound

It sounds like 'yeah' but with a sharp drop. Practice the 4th tone.

Word Family

Connect '输液' with '输血' and '输入' to remember the 'shū' meaning.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Shoe' (shū) carrying a 'Yeah!' (yè) sign because getting the IV makes you feel better fast.

Visual Association

Visualize a hanging bottle (吊瓶) with a long tube connecting to a person's hand. The 'shū' is the transport through the tube, and 'yè' is the liquid in the bottle.

Word Web

静脉 (vein) 针头 (needle) 药水 (medicine) 滴 (drop) 护士 (nurse) 病床 (sickbed) 发烧 (fever) 诊所 (clinic)

Challenge

Try to use '输液' in a sentence that also includes '医生' and '小时'. For example: '医生让我输了三个小时液。'

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '输' (shū) historically meant to transport goods via cart, often related to taxes or tribute. '液' (yè) has always meant liquid or fluid, with the 'water' radical.

Original meaning: Transporting fluid; originally used in various technical contexts before becoming standard medical terminology for IV drips.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful not to sound too critical of the practice when talking to locals, as it is a deeply ingrained part of the healthcare experience for many.

Westerners might find the frequency of IV use in China alarming, as it is usually reserved for serious cases in the West.

Commonly depicted in Chinese medical dramas like 'The Surgeons' (外科风云). Mentioned in news reports regarding medical reforms in provinces like Jiangsu. A frequent topic of 'expat life' vlogs in China.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

输液室在哪里？
我要输液吗？
护士，换药瓶。
输液要多久？

Explaining Absence

他在医院输液。
我输完液就去公司。
他感冒很重，去输液了。
输了三天液。

Talking to a Doctor

我不想输液，可以吃药吗？
输液见效快吗？
这是什么药液？
输液的地方有点肿。

Emergency

快给他输液！
病人失血过多，需要输液。
准备输液器材。
建立静脉通道。

Childcare

宝宝不哭，输液不疼。
孩子正在输液室。
输液时看着孩子。
输完液买糖吃。

Conversation Starters

"你最近身体怎么样？听说你去输液了？"

"你觉得感冒了有必要输液吗？"

"你们国家的医生也会建议患者输液吗？"

"在医院输液的时候，你一般会做什么打发时间？"

"你对‘过度输液’这个话题怎么看？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你在医院输液的经历。当时你是什么心情？

对比一下你家乡和中国的医疗方式，特别是关于‘输液’的差异。

如果你是一名医生，你会建议什么样的病人去输液？为什么？

写一段对话，关于一个怕打针的孩子和劝他输液的妈妈。

讨论一下取消门诊输液对普通百姓生活的影响。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is very common for treating fevers and the flu in outpatient clinics. However, policies are changing to reduce its use for minor illnesses.

They mean the same thing. '输液' is the standard term, while '打点滴' is more colloquial and commonly used in daily speech.

No, you should use '输血' (shūxuè) for blood. '输液' is for saline, glucose, or liquid medicine.

You can say '输完液了' (shū wán yè le) or '药水输完了' (yàoshuǐ shū wán le).

It is a verb-object construction, so it functions as a verb ('to get an IV') but the '液' part is a noun.

It's better to be specific. Say '我要输液' or '我要打点滴' to ensure the doctor understands you want a drip, not just a shot.

Just the initial needle prick. After that, it shouldn't hurt unless there is a problem with the needle placement.

It depends on the volume, but usually between 45 minutes to 3 hours.

It's efficient for the hospital to monitor many patients at once in a '输液大厅' (infusion hall).

Usually, no. You must stay at the clinic or hospital until the bottle is empty and a nurse removes the needle.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) about a time you or someone you know went to the hospital for an IV. Use the word '输液'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.