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A2 noun #4,000 most common 10 min read

病史

bingshi Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 病史 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 病史 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '病史' (bìngshǐ) means 'medical history.' Think of it as 'sick history.' If you go to a doctor in China, they might ask you about your past. You can use this word to tell them if you have had a problem before. For example, '你有病史吗?' (Do you have a medical history?). It is a very useful word for emergencies. You don't need to know complicated grammar to use it. Just knowing that '病' is 'sick' and '史' is 'history' helps you remember it easily. If you see this word on a form at a hospital, it is where you write about your old illnesses. It is a formal word, but doctors use it with everyone. Even at A1, being able to recognize this on a sign or a paper is very helpful for your safety.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '病史' in simple sentences with verbs like '有' (have) or '询问' (ask). You should know that '既往病史' means 'past medical history.' This is common on intake forms. You can start combining it with specific diseases you know, like '感冒病史' (though we don't usually track colds!) or '过敏病史' (allergy history). At this level, you should also distinguish '病史' from '病历' (the physical record book). When a doctor asks, '请说说你的病史,' you should be prepared to list your past health issues. It is part of the 'Health' topic in the A2 syllabus. You might also see '家族病史' (family medical history) on forms. Learning this word helps you complete basic administrative tasks at a clinic or school nurse's office.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use '病史' in more complex discussions about health and wellness. You should be able to describe the duration or severity of a history, such as '长期的病史' (a long history of illness). You will encounter this word in news reports about public health or in more detailed medical brochures. You should understand collocations like '了解病史' (to understand/get to know the medical history) and '记录病史' (to record the medical history). At this stage, you might also learn about '现病史' (present illness history) vs '既往病史' (past history). You should be able to explain your family medical history in a few sentences, for example: '因为我有家族病史，所以我非常注意饮食。' (Because I have a family medical history, I am very careful about my diet.) This shows you can use the word to provide reasons and explanations.

At the B2 level, '病史' becomes a tool for professional or academic communication. You should be able to understand medical interviews where a doctor '采集病史' (collects medical history). You will see this word in literature or more formal articles discussing the importance of clinical records. You should be comfortable with the nuance between '病史' and '病情' (current condition) in a fast-paced environment. For example, in a debate about health insurance, you might discuss '如实告知病史' (truthfully disclosing medical history) and the legal implications of '隐瞒病史' (concealing medical history). You should also be familiar with how '病史' is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) vs. Western medicine, noting that a TCM '病史' might include environmental and emotional factors. Your vocabulary should include related terms like '遗传病史' (hereditary medical history).

At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '病史' within the broader healthcare system. You can analyze how '病史' is documented in electronic health records (EHR) and discuss the privacy concerns regarding '病史泄露' (leakage of medical history). You should be able to read complex medical case studies where the '病史' section is detailed and uses professional terminology. You can use the word metaphorically in high-level discourse, such as discussing the '病史' of a social issue or a failing institution, though this is rare and stylistic. You should be able to participate in professional medical seminars or translate medical documents where '病史' must be rendered accurately depending on whether it refers to the patient's narrative or the clinical timeline. Your mastery includes knowing rare collocations and the historical evolution of how history-taking is performed in Chinese clinical practice.

At the C2 level, your command of '病史' is near-native. You understand the philosophical implications of the 'medical narrative' (病史叙事) and how the structure of a '病史' can influence diagnostic outcomes. You can navigate highly technical discussions in medical journals (如《中华医学杂志》) where '病史' is analyzed statistically across large cohorts. You are aware of the subtle regional differences in how '病史' is recorded and talked about in different parts of the Sinosphere (Mainland, Taiwan, Singapore). You can critique the quality of '病史采集' (history taking) in clinical education and discuss the ethics of '病史' data mining in the age of AI. Your usage is flawless, and you can switch between the highly formal register of a surgeon and the empathetic register used when helping a patient recount their '病史' in a sensitive psychological context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

病史 in 30 Seconds

病史 (bìngshǐ) means 'medical history' and is essential for hospital visits and health forms in Chinese-speaking environments.
It is a formal noun, often used with verbs like '询问' (inquire) and '提供' (provide), focusing on past illnesses.
Distinguish it from '病历' (the physical record book) and '病情' (the current status of an illness).
Common variations include '既往病史' (past history) and '家族病史' (family history), both crucial for accurate medical assessment.

The term 病史 (bìngshǐ) is a compound noun in Chinese that directly translates to 'medical history' or 'case history.' It is composed of two characters: 病 (bìng), meaning illness, disease, or sickness, and 史 (shǐ), meaning history or records. Together, they represent the chronological record of a patient's past and present health conditions, including previous illnesses, surgeries, allergies, and treatments. This term is foundational in clinical settings, used by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals to understand a patient's health background before making a diagnosis or starting a treatment plan.

Clinical Context: In a hospital setting, a doctor will often say '请告诉我你的病史' (Please tell me your medical history). This involves a systematic review of the patient's life from a health perspective.
Insurance and Legal: When applying for health insurance, disclosing your '既往病史' (past medical history) is a legal requirement to determine coverage and premiums.
Academic and Research: Medical researchers analyze '病史数据' (medical history data) to identify patterns in disease progression across populations.

医生仔细询问了患者的病史，以确保诊断准确。 (The doctor carefully inquired about the patient's medical history to ensure an accurate diagnosis.)

The usage of '病史' is predominantly formal. You won't typically hear it in casual conversation unless the topic is specifically about health checkups or hospital visits. It carries a sense of professional documentation. For example, a person might say '我有心脏病史' (I have a history of heart disease) when filling out a form at a gym or before a surgery. The word is essential for anyone living in a Chinese-speaking environment who might need to interact with the healthcare system. Understanding this word allows you to navigate the first step of any medical consultation: the 'history taking' phase. In Chinese medicine (TCM), the '病史' is also crucial, though it might include more details about lifestyle, diet, and emotional states compared to Western medicine's focus on physiological symptoms.

家族病史对于预防某些遗传性疾病非常重要。 (Family medical history is very important for preventing certain hereditary diseases.)

Furthermore, the word can be modified to specify types of history. '既往病史' (jìwǎng bìngshǐ) refers specifically to past history, whereas '现病史' (xiàn bìngshǐ) refers to the history of the current illness. In psychiatric contexts, '个人史' (individual history) and '家族史' (family history) are often used alongside '病史' to create a comprehensive profile of the patient. The term is not just a list of facts; it is a narrative of a person's biological life. In literature or news, you might see '病史' used metaphorically to describe a long-standing problem or a 'history of issues' in a system, though this is less common than its literal medical usage.

Using 病史 correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It is frequently the object of verbs like 询问 (to inquire), 记录 (to record), 提供 (to provide), and 了解 (to understand/get to know). Because it is a formal term, it is rarely used with slang or very informal grammar structures. It is most often found in the structure: [Subject] + [Verb] + [Possessive/Modifier] + 病史.

Verb + 病史: 医生正在询问病人的病史。 (The doctor is inquiring about the patient's medical history.) Here, '询问' is the standard professional verb for 'taking' a history.
Modifier + 病史: 他有长期的过敏病史。 (He has a long-term history of allergies.) The modifier '长期的过敏' specifies the nature of the history.
Possessive + 病史: 你的家族病史中有高血压吗？ (Is there high blood pressure in your family medical history?)

在手术前，麻醉师必须确认患者没有药物过敏病史。 (Before surgery, the anesthesiologist must confirm the patient has no history of drug allergies.)

Another common pattern involves the verb '有' (to have). In English, we say 'I have a history of...', and in Chinese, it is '我有...病史'. This is the most practical way for a student to use the word. For example, if you are at a pharmacy and the pharmacist asks if you have any conditions, you could say '我有哮喘病史' (I have a history of asthma). Note that the specific disease often comes directly before '病史' without a '的' (de), making it a compound term like '哮喘病史' or '糖尿病史' (history of diabetes).

In more advanced usage, you might encounter '病史' as part of a subject-comment structure. '他的病史非常复杂' (His medical history is very complex). Here, the history itself is the topic of discussion. In medical reports, you will see '病史摘要' (medical history summary). As a learner, mastering the '询问/提供 + 病史' and '有 + [Disease] + 病史' patterns will cover 90% of your needs. Remember that '病史' is an uncountable noun in Chinese (as most are), so you don't need to worry about plural markers. You can use measure words like '一段' (a period of) if you are referring to a specific timeframe of the history, but usually, it stands alone.

You will encounter 病史 in several specific real-world environments. The most obvious is the hospital or clinic. Upon your first visit to a new doctor, the nurse or the registration system will ask for your medical history. In modern Chinese hospitals, this is often done via a digital form on a tablet or a WeChat mini-program where you check boxes for '既往病史'. Hearing the phrase '请提供您的既往病史' is standard procedure.

Medical Dramas: In popular TV shows like '急诊科医生' (Emergency Physician), characters frequently shout '快查病史!' (Quickly check the medical history!) during high-stakes trauma scenes.
Insurance Commercials: Advertisements for health insurance often emphasize '如实告知病史' (truthfully disclose medical history) to avoid claim denials later.
Health Talk Shows: Experts on shows like '养生堂' often discuss how '家族病史' impacts longevity and what preventive measures can be taken.

医生在电脑上翻阅着病人的电子病史。 (The doctor is scrolling through the patient's electronic medical history on the computer.)

Another common place is school or workplace health checks. In China, many employers require an annual '体检' (tǐjiǎn - physical exam). The forms usually have a section titled '病史调查' (Medical History Survey). If you are applying for a visa or residency permit in a Chinese-speaking country, the required medical exam will also involve a '病史声明' (Statement of Medical History). In these contexts, the word is written more than it is spoken.

In pharmaceutical settings, when buying prescription medication, the pharmacist might ask: '你有没有药物过敏病史？' (Do you have a history of drug allergies?). This is a critical safety question. Even in fitness contexts, a personal trainer at a high-end gym might ask about your '运动损伤病史' (history of sports injuries) to tailor your workout. Essentially, anywhere health and safety are managed by a professional, '病史' is the keyword for your medical past.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 病史 is confusing it with 病历 (bìnglì). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 病史 is the abstract concept of your medical history (the facts and the timeline), whereas 病历 refers to the actual medical records or the physical file/booklet that contains that history. If you lose your medical folder, you lost your '病历', not your '病史' (you still have your history, you just lost the paper record of it).

病史 vs. 病情: Mistake: Saying '他的病史很严重' to mean his condition is serious. Correct: '他的病情 (bìngqíng) 很严重'. '病史' is a record of the past; '病情' is the status of the illness right now.
Incorrect Verb Choice: Mistake: '做病史' (to do medical history). Correct: '询问病史' (to inquire) or '记录病史' (to record). English speakers often try to use 'do' or 'make' for everything, but Chinese requires more specific verbs.
Word Order with 'History of...': Mistake: '病史的糖尿病' (History's diabetes). Correct: '糖尿病病史' (Diabetes history). The disease always acts as the modifier for the word history.

错误：他没有病历。(Incorrect if you mean he has no history of illness; this means he doesn't have a physical record book.)
正确：他没有病史。(Correct: He has no medical history of illness.)

Another mistake is using '病史' in non-medical contexts where '历史' (lìshǐ) is more appropriate. For example, you wouldn't say a company has a '病史' of bad management unless you are being very sarcastic and treating the company like a sick patient. For general history, always use '历史'. Additionally, be careful with the word '既往' (jìwǎng). While '既往病史' is common, learners sometimes forget '既往' and just say '过去病史'. While understandable, it sounds less professional than the standard medical terminology.

Lastly, when talking about family history, don't say '我的家的病史'. The standard term is '家族病史' (jiāzú bìngshǐ). Using the correct set phrases makes you sound much more like a native speaker and ensures that medical professionals understand you instantly in an emergency. In writing, ensure the character '史' is not written as '吏' (lì - official). They look similar but have different meanings and pronunciations.

To truly master 病史, you must distinguish it from several closely related terms in the medical semantic field. Chinese is very precise about whether you are talking about the history, the current state, the record, or the diagnosis.

病历 (bìnglì) - Medical Record: This refers to the formal documentation. '病史' is what happened; '病历' is where it is written down. Example: 医生把诊断结果写在病历上。(The doctor wrote the diagnosis in the medical record.)
病情 (bìngqíng) - Condition / State of Illness: This refers to the current status of the patient's health. Example: 他的病情已经稳定了。(His condition has stabilized.)
诊断 (zhěnduàn) - Diagnosis: The conclusion reached by the doctor after reviewing the '病史'. Example: 医生做出了初步诊断。(The doctor made a preliminary diagnosis.)
体检 (tǐjiǎn) - Physical Examination: The process of checking the body, which often results in new entries in the '病史'.

对比：
1. 我有哮喘病史。(I have a history of asthma.)
2. 医生在看我的病历。(The doctor is looking at my medical record.)
3. 他的病情很复杂。(His condition is complex.)

In formal medical reports, you might also see 往史 (wǎngshǐ), which is a shortened version of '既往病史'. In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), practitioners might use the term 问诊 (wènzhěn), which is the act of 'interrogation' or 'inquiry' that focuses heavily on gathering the '病史'. While '病史' is the standard noun, '问诊' is the process of obtaining it. Understanding these nuances helps you communicate more effectively with medical staff and ensures you don't use a word that is too broad or too specific for the situation. For instance, if you tell a doctor '我的病史不好', they might be confused; they would expect you to say '我的身体状况不好' (My health condition is not good) or specify a certain disease in your history.

Finally, consider the term 家族史 (jiāzú shǐ). In many medical forms, '家族病史' is shortened to just '家族史'. Both are correct, but '家族病史' is more explicit. When discussing hereditary issues, '家族史' is very common. By learning these alternatives, you can better understand the variations you'll see on different hospital forms across mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, where terminology can vary slightly but '病史' remains universally understood.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '史' (history) is the same one used in '历史' (history) and '史书' (historical books), giving 'medical history' a sense of formal, chronicled importance.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /bìŋ.ʂɨ̀/

US /bìŋ.ʂɨ̀/

In Chinese, both syllables are emphasized equally, but the tones (4th and 3rd) give it a distinct rhythmic fall and rise.

Rhymes With

影 (yǐng) 静 (jìng) 镜 (jìng) 理 (lǐ) 洗 (xǐ) 起 (qǐ) 米 (mǐ) 笔 (bǐ)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shǐ' as 'shì' (4th tone), which changes the meaning.
Pronouncing 'bìng' with a rising tone instead of a falling tone.
Failing to curl the tongue for the 'sh' sound.
Confusing 'bìng' with 'píng' (p and b are often confused by English speakers).
Making the 'i' in 'shǐ' sound like 'ee' in 'bee' (it should be a neutral, buzzing sound).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read; both characters are common and learned early.

Writing 3/5

Moderate; '病' has many strokes, and '史' must be distinguished from '吏'.

Speaking 2/5

Easy; the tones are distinct and the sounds are standard.

Listening 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially in a hospital.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

病 (illness) 历史 (history) 医生 (doctor) 有 (have) 没 (not have)

Learn Next

病历 (medical record) 病情 (condition) 诊断 (diagnosis) 处方 (prescription) 化验 (lab test)

Advanced

既往史 (past history) 主诉 (chief complaint) 体格检查 (physical examination) 流行病学 (epidemiology)

Grammar to Know

Noun compounding without '的'

糖尿病病史 (Diabetes history) vs 糖尿病的病史 (less common).

Using '有' for possession of abstract states

他有高血压病史。

Enumeration comma usage

他有哮喘、过敏和心脏病史。

Time duration modifiers

他有五年的胃病史。

Formal verbs for 'asking'

询问 (xúnwèn) is used instead of 问 (wèn) in professional settings.

Examples by Level

医生在看我的病史。

The doctor is looking at my medical history.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

你有过敏病史吗？

Do you have a history of allergies?

Using '病史' with '有' to ask about status.

这是我的病史。

This is my medical history.

Pronoun + Copula + Noun.

他没有心脏病史。

He has no history of heart disease.

Negation with '没有'.

请写下你的病史。

Please write down your medical history.

Imperative sentence with '请'.

我知道他的病史。

I know his medical history.

Subject + Verb + Object.

家族病史很重要。

Family medical history is important.

Subject + Adjective phrase.

你必须说实话关于病史。

You must tell the truth about medical history.

Using '必须' for necessity.

护士询问了我的既往病史。

The nurse asked about my past medical history.

Past action indicated by '了'.

由于家族病史，他每年都体检。

Due to family medical history, he has a checkup every year.

Using '由于' (due to) to show cause.

这份表格需要填写病史。

This form requires filling in medical history.

Noun as the object of '填写'.

他隐瞒了自己的病史。

He hid his own medical history.

Verb '隐瞒' (to hide/conceal).

医生仔细记录了病人的病史。

The doctor carefully recorded the patient's medical history.

Adverb '仔细' modifying the verb.

我有十年的糖尿病病史。

I have a ten-year history of diabetes.

Duration + Disease + 病史.

保险公司正在核对他的病史。

The insurance company is verifying his medical history.

Continuous action with '正在'.

了解病史是诊断的第一步。

Understanding the medical history is the first step in diagnosis.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

详细的病史采集可以帮助医生发现潜在问题。

Detailed medical history collection can help doctors discover potential problems.

Complex subject with '采集' (collection).

他因为没有如实告知病史而被拒保了。

He was denied insurance because he didn't truthfully disclose his medical history.

Passive structure with '被'.

在进行手术之前，必须全面了解患者的病史。

Before performing surgery, one must fully understand the patient's medical history.

Time clause '在...之前'.

患者的病史显示他曾多次患肺炎。

The patient's medical history shows he has had pneumonia multiple times.

Verb '显示' (shows/indicates).

虽然他很年轻，但他的病史却很复杂。

Although he is young, his medical history is quite complex.

Concession structure '虽然...但...却'.

医生建议他整理一份详细的家族病史清单。

The doctor suggested he organize a detailed family medical history list.

Verb '建议' followed by a clause.

这些数据来自数千名患者的匿名病史。

These data come from the anonymous medical histories of thousands of patients.

Preposition '来自' (comes from).

护士在交班时会重点交代病人的现病史。

Nurses will emphasize the patient's current illness history during shift changes.

Time phrase '在...时'.

病史的完整性直接影响到临床决策的准确性。

The completeness of the medical history directly affects the accuracy of clinical decisions.

Abstract nouns as subject and object.

通过分析病史，研究人员发现了环境因素与该病的关系。

By analyzing medical histories, researchers discovered the relationship between environmental factors and the disease.

Instrumental phrase '通过...'.

医生在问诊过程中发现患者有长期的酗酒病史。

During the consultation, the doctor discovered the patient had a long history of alcohol abuse.

Locative phrase '在...过程中'.

由于电子病史系统的普及，跨院就医变得更加方便。

Due to the popularization of electronic medical history systems, seeking medical care across hospitals has become more convenient.

Cause and effect with '由于...变得...'.

患者否认有任何重大疾病或手术病史。

The patient denied having any history of major illness or surgery.

Formal verb '否认' (to deny).

家族病史调查揭示了该家族中存在遗传性心脏病的风险。

A family medical history survey revealed a risk of hereditary heart disease in the family.

Verb '揭示' (reveal/uncover).

在某些情况下，病史可能比体检结果更具参考价值。

In some cases, the medical history may be of more reference value than the physical exam results.

Comparative structure '比...更...'.

病史摘要应当简洁明了，涵盖所有关键诊断信息。

The medical history summary should be concise and clear, covering all key diagnostic information.

Modal verb '应当' (should).

医生必须具备从患者零散的陈述中梳理出清晰病史的能力。

Doctors must possess the ability to tease out a clear medical history from the patient's fragmented statements.

Complex attributive clause modifying '能力'.

该论文探讨了病史叙事在心理治疗中的核心作用。

The paper explores the core role of medical history narrative in psychotherapy.

Academic verb '探讨' (to explore/discuss).

隐私法的加强使得获取他人病史数据变得极其困难。

The strengthening of privacy laws has made obtaining others' medical history data extremely difficult.

Causative structure '使得...变得...'.

病史采集不仅仅是填表，更是一种医患沟通的艺术。

Medical history taking is not just filling out forms, but an art of doctor-patient communication.

Not only... but also... '不仅仅是...更是...'.

纵向病史研究揭示了该地区流行病发病率的上升趋势。

Longitudinal medical history research revealed an upward trend in the incidence of epidemics in the region.

Technical term '纵向' (longitudinal).

在急救现场，获取准确的病史信息往往关乎生死。

At an emergency scene, obtaining accurate medical history information is often a matter of life and death.

Phrase '关乎生死' (matter of life and death).

误报或遗漏病史可能会导致严重的医疗事故。

Misreporting or omitting medical history may lead to serious medical malpractice.

Subject composed of two coordinated nouns.

专家组对这名疑难杂症患者的病史进行了深度复盘。

The expert group conducted a deep review of the medical history of this patient with a difficult and complicated disease.

Verb phrase '进行深度复盘' (conduct a deep review).

病史的数字化转型为流行病学建模提供了海量的原始素材。

The digital transformation of medical history has provided massive raw materials for epidemiological modeling.

Complex academic terminology.

即便在高度依赖仪器诊断的今天，详尽的病史询问依然是临床诊断的基石。

Even today, when instrumental diagnosis is highly relied upon, detailed medical history inquiry remains the cornerstone of clinical diagnosis.

Concessive clause '即便...依然...'.

通过对多代家族病史的图谱化分析，科学家定位了该致病基因。

Through mapping and analyzing multi-generational family medical histories, scientists located the pathogenic gene.

Technical phrase '图谱化分析' (mapping analysis).

病史中潜藏的社会心理因素往往是导致慢性疼痛反复发作的关键。

The socio-psychological factors hidden in the medical history are often the key to the recurrent episodes of chronic pain.

Abstract psychological terminology.

医疗伦理委员会强调了在病史采集过程中保护患者知情权的重要性。

The medical ethics committee emphasized the importance of protecting the patient's right to know during the medical history collection process.

Formal committee terminology.

在大数据背景下，病史数据的脱敏处理是确保数据安全的前提。

In the context of big data, the desensitization of medical history data is a prerequisite for ensuring data security.

Technical term '脱敏处理' (desensitization).

医生在梳理病史时，需敏锐地捕捉到那些看似无关紧要的细节。

When sorting through medical history, doctors need to keenly capture those details that seem insignificant.

Adverb '敏锐地' (keenly).

这份详尽的病史报告为该罕见病例的全球性研究贡献了宝贵的一手资料。

This detailed medical history report contributed valuable primary data to the global research of this rare case.

Collocation '一手资料' (primary/firsthand data).

Synonyms

病历既往史医疗记录往史病情记录健康档案家族史个人史

Antonyms

预后现状未来健康新生

Common Collocations

询问病史

既往病史

家族病史

过敏病史

记录病史

隐瞒病史

了解病史

提供病史

复杂病史

电子病史

Common Phrases

既往病史

— Past medical history. Used on almost every hospital form.

既往病史：无。

现病史

— History of the current illness. Focuses on the present problem.

现病史包括发烧三天和咳嗽。

家族病史

— Family medical history. Important for hereditary diseases.

你有家族病史吗？

过敏病史

— History of allergies. Critical for drug prescriptions.

我有青霉素过敏病史。

病史采集

— The process of taking a medical history from a patient.

病史采集是医学生的必修课。

病史摘要

— A summary of the medical history. Often found at the end of a report.

请阅读病史摘要。

隐瞒病史

— Concealing one's medical history, often discussed in insurance contexts.

他因为隐瞒病史被保险公司起诉了。

长期病史

— A long-standing history of a certain condition.

他有长期的哮喘病史。

手术病史

— History of previous surgeries.

患者无任何腹部手术病史。

药物病史

— History of past and current medication use.

医生询问了他的药物病史。

Often Confused With

病史 vs 病历

The physical record book vs the abstract history.

病史 vs 病情

The current state of illness vs the historical record.

病史 vs 病原

The cause/pathogen vs the patient's history.

Idioms & Expressions

"药到病除"

— As soon as the medicine is taken, the illness is cured. Used to praise a doctor's skill.

这位医生真是神医，真是药到病除。

Complimentary

"久病成医"

— Long illness makes a patient a doctor. After suffering a long time, one knows how to treat it.

他患哮喘多年，已经久病成医了。

Casual

"病从口入"

— Illness enters through the mouth. Emphasizes hygiene and diet.

要注意饮食卫生，毕竟病从口入。

Instructive

"病入膏肓"

— The illness has reached the vitals. Used for incurable diseases or hopeless situations.

这家公司的管理问题已经病入膏肓了。

Formal/Metaphorical

"无病呻吟"

— Groaning when not ill. Complaining without cause.

他总是无病呻吟，博取同情。

Critical

"同病相怜"

— People with the same illness pity each other. Fellow sufferers sympathize.

他们都失业了，真是同病相怜。

Empathetic

"救死扶伤"

— Heal the wounded and rescue the dying. The duty of medical workers.

救死扶伤是医生的天职。

Formal/Honorific

"大病初愈"

— Just recovered from a serious illness.

他大病初愈，身体还很虚弱。

Description

"手到病除"

— The disease is cured the moment the hand touches it (skillful treatment).

中医按摩师手到病除，缓解了我的疼痛。

Complimentary

"因病成医"

— Similar to 久病成医; becoming knowledgeable due to one's own illness.

因为照顾生病的母亲，他因病成医，学会了打针。

Casual

Easily Confused

病史 vs 病历

Both start with '病' and relate to patient records.

病史 is the abstract history; 病历 is the physical or digital file.

我的病历丢了，但我还记得我的病史。

病史 vs 病情

Both describe the state of a patient.

病史 is the past; 病情 is the present.

医生通过看病史来了解现在的病情。

病史 vs 历史

Both contain '史' (history).

历史 is general history; 病史 is specific to medicine.

我喜欢学习中国历史，但我不喜欢谈论我的病史。

病史 vs 病逝

Sounds similar to bìngshǐ.

病逝 (bìngshì) means to die of illness.

他在去年病逝了。

病史 vs 诊断

Both are parts of the medical process.

病史 is the data; 诊断 is the conclusion.

医生根据病史做出了诊断。

Sentence Patterns

我有[Disease]病史。

我有过敏病史。

他没有[Disease]病史吗？

他没有心脏病史吗？

由于[Cause]，我必须了解他的病史。

由于手术，我必须了解他的病史。

[Subject]详细记录了患者的[Modifier]病史。

护士详细记录了患者的既往病史。

虽然病史显示[Fact]，但[Contrast]。

虽然病史显示他很健康，但目前的症状很严重。

病史的数字化旨在[Purpose]。

病史的数字化旨在提高诊断效率。

请在表格中填写您的[Type]病史。

请在表格中填写您的家族病史。

你的病史里有[Disease]吗？

你的病史里有高血压吗？

Word Family

Nouns

病人 (patient)

病情 (condition)

病房 (ward)

病历 (record)

病毒 (virus)

病因 (cause)

Verbs

生病 (to fall ill)

看病 (to see a doctor)

治病 (to treat illness)

养病 (to recuperate)

Adjectives

病态 (morbid)

病恹恹 (sickly)

重病 (seriously ill)

医院 (hospital)

医生 (doctor)

诊断 (diagnosis)

健康 (health)

治疗 (treatment)

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in medical, legal, and insurance domains.

Common Mistakes

Using '病史' to mean the current illness status. → 病情 (bìngqíng)
病史 is the record of the past; 病情 is how the patient is doing right now.
Confusing '病史' (history) with '病历' (record book). → 病历 (bìnglì)
If you want to say 'I forgot my medical file at home,' use '病历'.
Saying '做病史' for 'taking a history'. → 询问病史 (xúnwèn bìngshǐ)
Chinese uses specific verbs for medical actions. '询问' is the standard for taking a history.
Incorrect word order: '病史的家族'. → 家族病史 (jiāzú bìngshǐ)
The modifier (Family) must come before the noun (History).
Using '病史' in a non-medical context. → 历史 (lìshǐ)
Don't use '病史' to talk about the history of a country or a car.

Tips

Don't use '的' in diseases

Say '心脏病史' not '心脏病的病史'. It sounds more professional and native.

Learn the 'Big Three'

Master '病史', '病历', and '病情'. Knowing the difference will save you a lot of confusion in a hospital.

Be Honest

In China, '如实告知' (truthfully disclose) is a common phrase regarding medical history, especially for insurance.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the stroke order of '史'. It is a foundational character that appears in many words.

Tones Matter

If you say 'shì' instead of 'shǐ', people might think you are talking about someone dying (病逝).

Medical Intake

If you are a medical student, practice the phrase '采集病史' (cǎijí bìngshǐ), which means history taking.

Forms

Look for the characters '既往' on any medical form; the word '病史' will likely follow.

Radicals

The '疒' radical in '病' always relates to sickness. Seeing it helps you guess the meaning of unknown words.

History

Remembering '史' as 'history' (like in 历史) makes it much easier to remember the whole word.

Gyms and Visas

You'll need this word for gym memberships and visa medicals, not just hospitals.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Sick' (病) + 'Story' (史). Your '病史' is the 'story of your sickness.'

Visual Association

Imagine a timeline (史) with red crosses (病) marked at different points in time.

Word Web

病 (Illness) 史 (History) 病历 (Record) 既往 (Past) 家族 (Family) 询问 (Inquire) 记录 (Record) 过敏 (Allergy)

Challenge

Try to write down your own '既往病史' in Chinese using simple words like '感冒', '骨折', or '过敏'.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '病' (bìng) dates back to Oracle Bone Script, depicting a person lying on a bed (爿) with sweat or blood (dots). '史' (shǐ) originally depicted a hand holding a chronicle or a counting tool, representing official records.

Original meaning: The literal combination is 'the records of illness.'

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when asking about '家族病史' regarding mental health or hereditary diseases, as there may still be some social stigma in certain regions.

In the West, 'medical history' is strictly confidential (HIPAA). In China, family members often discuss a patient's '病史' with the doctor together.

《病史采集手册》 - A common textbook for Chinese medical students. Common phrase in medical dramas like '外科风云'. Standard section on the '120' emergency dispatch forms.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital Admission

请提供您的既往病史。
你有家族病史吗？
我有过敏病史。
医生正在询问病史。

Insurance Application

请如实填写病史。
隐瞒病史后果严重。
既往病史会影响保费。
核对病史信息。

Emergency Room

快查病人的病史！
家属知道他的病史吗？
他有心脏病史吗？
没有时间看病史了。

Medical School

学习如何采集病史。
病史摘要怎么写？
模拟病史询问。
分析疑难病史。

School Health Check

学生病史调查表。
你有哮喘病史吗？
登记家族病史。
病史保密协议。

Conversation Starters

"医生，我想了解一下我的家族病史。"

"你在填写这份病史调查表吗？"

"如果你有药物过敏病史，一定要告诉医生。"

"保险公司需要我提供近五年的病史。"

"为什么了解病史对诊断这么重要？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你的家族病史，以及它如何影响你的健康习惯。

描述一次你在医院被询问病史的经历。

你认为数字化病史（电子病史）有哪些优缺点？

如果你是一名医生，你会如何温柔地询问患者的病史？

讨论隐瞒病史可能带来的法律和健康风险。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, specifically under the sub-category '家族病史' (jiāzú bìngshǐ). When a doctor asks for your history, they often include family background.

No, it can include anything from minor allergies to major surgeries. Any health event worth recording is part of your '病史'.

You can say '我没有既往病史' (Wǒ méiyǒu jìwǎng bìngshǐ). This is a common phrase on forms.

'既往' means 'past'. So '既往病史' specifically means your past history, excluding the illness you have right now (which is '现病史').

Yes, it is used for both physical and mental health histories in a clinical setting.

It is common if you are at a hospital, pharmacy, or insurance office, but not in general social chat.

It means 'Electronic Medical History' (EMH), referring to digitized patient records.

You can say: '请问您有什么既往病史吗？' (May I ask if you have any past medical history?)

It is '病史' (shǐ). '病事' is not a standard term in Chinese.

Usually, lifestyle habits like smoking are recorded under '个人史' (personal history), which is a separate section from '病史' but related.