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A2 noun #4,000 most common 6 min read

康复

kāngfù Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 康复 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 康复 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know '康复' in one specific context: wishing someone well. It is a 'set phrase' that you learn to be polite. You don't need to worry about the complex medical meanings or how to use it in long sentences. Just remember '祝你早日康复' (Wish you a speedy recovery). It is like learning 'Thank you' or 'Hello.' You use it when you hear a friend is sick or see them in the hospital. The characters might look a bit difficult, but the sound 'kāng fù' is easy to remember. Focus on the 'kāng' sound, which is also in '健康' (jiànkāng - healthy), a word you might learn soon after. At this stage, think of it as a magic phrase for being a kind friend in Chinese culture.

At the A2 level, you begin to see '康复' as a word that describes a state of health. You can use it to answer questions like 'How is your friend?' by saying '他康复了' (He has recovered). You should be able to recognize it in simple medical contexts, such as on a hospital sign or in a short text about an athlete. You are learning that '康复' is more formal than just saying '好了' (better). You might also see it combined with other words like '康复中心' (recovery center). At this level, you should understand that it is specifically for health and not for fixing a broken phone or a bad economy. You are building the foundation to talk about basic health progress and well-wishes.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '康复' in more complex sentence structures. You will start using it with resultative complements or time durations, such as '他康复得很快' (He recovered very quickly) or '康复需要三个月' (Recovery takes three months). You will also encounter it in the context of '康复训练' (rehabilitation training), especially if you are discussing sports or physical therapy. You should be able to distinguish '康复' from '恢复' (huīfù) in most contexts, knowing that '康复' is the specialized term for health. You can write a short email to a colleague or a note to a teacher explaining a period of absence due to '康复' needs. Your understanding of the word moves from a fixed phrase to a functional noun and verb.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '康复' with precision in professional and semi-formal contexts. You might discuss '康复医学' (rehabilitation medicine) or '心理康复' (psychological recovery). You understand that '康复' implies a process involving effort, often involving doctors or therapists. You can use it to describe societal or community health trends, such as the recovery of a community after a public health crisis. You will also start to see it in news reports about famous figures. At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in both written and spoken Chinese without confusing it with its synonyms like '痊愈' (completely cured) or '好转' (improving). You understand the nuance that '康复' focuses on the journey back to health.

At the C1 level, you have a nuanced understanding of '康复' and can use it in academic or highly formal discussions. You might analyze '康复资源' (rehabilitation resources) in a city or the '康复率' (recovery rate) of a specific treatment. You are aware of the word's presence in literature and formal speeches where it might be used metaphorically to describe the 'healing' of a nation or a culture, though still usually rooted in the concept of 'health' and 'well-being.' You can participate in debates about healthcare policy involving rehabilitation services. You understand the historical and cultural weight of the character '康' and how it relates to traditional Chinese concepts of longevity and peace. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker in its appropriateness and placement.

At the C2 level, you master '康复' in all its complexities, including its use in specialized medical journals, legal documents regarding disability and rehabilitation, and high-level philosophical discourse. You can appreciate the subtle difference between '康复' and more obscure terms like '康宁' or '痊可' in classical-leaning modern prose. You can discuss the '康复' of ecosystems or the '康复' of the human spirit in a deeply abstract way. You are able to use the word in wordplay, puns, or sophisticated rhetoric. You have a deep understanding of the etymological roots of '康' and '复' and how they have evolved from ancient scripts to modern usage. Your ability to use this word reflects a profound grasp of the Chinese language's ability to blend medical precision with cultural warmth.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

康复 in 30 Seconds

Formal term for medical recovery and rehabilitation processes.
Essential for the common phrase 'Get well soon' in Chinese.
Strictly used for health, unlike the broader term 'huifu'.
Composed of characters meaning 'health' and 'return'.

The Chinese word 康复 (kāngfù) is a cornerstone of health-related vocabulary in Mandarin. At its core, it refers to the process of returning to a state of health after an illness, injury, or surgery. While English speakers might simply say 'get better' or 'recovery,' 康复 carries a slightly more formal and holistic weight, often implying a deliberate process of healing or rehabilitation. It is composed of two characters: 康 (kāng), which means 'health' or 'peace,' and 复 (fù), which means 'to return' or 'to repeat.' Together, they literally mean 'returning to health.'

Clinical Context: In medical settings, this word is used to describe the entire rehabilitation process. You will see it on signs for 'Rehabilitation Departments' (康复科) in hospitals. It covers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and the general recuperation period after a major medical event.

他在手术后正在积极进行康复训练。(He is actively undergoing recovery training after his surgery.)

Social Context: Socially, this word is most commonly encountered in the phrase '祝你早日康复' (zhù nǐ zǎorì kāngfù), which is the standard Chinese equivalent of 'I wish you a speedy recovery' or 'Get well soon.' It is more formal and respectful than simply saying 'be healthy.'

祝你早日康复！(I wish you a speedy recovery!)

Whether you are talking to a doctor about a treatment plan or writing a card to a sick colleague, understanding the nuances of 康复 is essential for navigating Chinese healthcare and social etiquette. It conveys a sense of hope and the systematic return to a normal, healthy life.

Using 康复 correctly involves understanding its role as both a noun (recovery/rehabilitation) and occasionally as a verb (to recover). However, in modern Mandarin, it is most frequently used as a noun or as part of a compound verb phrase. Let's explore the most common structures.

As a Noun after '进行' (To Carry Out): In formal medical contexts, we often say '进行康复' (to undergo recovery/rehab). This emphasizes the process rather than just the state of being well.

病人在医院里接受康复治疗。(The patient is receiving recovery treatment in the hospital.)

In Well-Wishing Phrases: The most common usage for learners is the 'Wish + Person + Adverb + Recovery' pattern. This is a fixed expression that every student should memorize.

祝您的家人早日康复。(I wish your family member a speedy recovery.)

经过半年的努力，他终于完全康复了。(After half a year of effort, he has finally fully recovered.)

When describing a state, you can use '已经康复' (already recovered) or '正在康复' (currently recovering). These phrases are vital for providing updates on someone's health status in both casual and professional emails.

You will encounter 康复 in a variety of real-world scenarios, ranging from the sterile environment of a hospital to the supportive atmosphere of a community center.

Hospitals and Clinics: This is the most common place. You will see signs for '康复中心' (Recovery/Rehab Center) or hear doctors discuss a '康复计划' (recovery plan) with patients. Nurses might ask how your '康复情况' (recovery situation) is progressing during a check-up.

这家医院的康复设施非常先进。(This hospital's recovery facilities are very advanced.)

Sports and Athletics: Sports commentators frequently use this word when talking about injured athletes. If a famous basketball player is coming back from an ACL injury, the news will report on their '康复进度' (recovery progress).

运动员需要专业的康复指导。(Athletes need professional recovery guidance.)

他的康复速度让医生感到惊讶。(His recovery speed surprised the doctors.)

Lastly, you will see this word in advertisements for health supplements, massage chairs, and wellness retreats, all promising to help your body '康复' from the stresses of daily life.

Even though 康复 seems straightforward, learners often trip up on its specific usage constraints. Here are the most frequent errors to watch out for.

Confusing 康复 with 恢复: This is the #1 mistake. 恢复 (huīfù) is a general word for 'restore' or 'return to normal.' You can '恢复' a computer's settings or '恢复' a friendship. However, 康复 is strictly for biological/physical health. You cannot '康复' a file or an economy.

错误: 这里的经济正在康复。 (Wrong: The economy here is recovering - medical term used for money.)

Incorrect Transitive Usage: In English, we say 'The medicine recovered him.' In Chinese, 康复 is intransitive or used as a noun. You cannot say '药康复了他.' Instead, you should say '药物帮助他康复' (The medicine helped him recover).

正确: 经过治疗，他已经完全康复了。(Correct: After treatment, he has fully recovered.)

Finally, avoid using 康复 for very minor things like a 5-minute headache. It's usually reserved for illnesses that require a period of rest or treatment, like the flu, a broken bone, or surgery.

Mandarin has several words that overlap with 康复. Choosing the right one depends on the level of formality and the specific context of the healing.

恢复 (huīfù) vs. 康复 (kāngfù): 恢复 is broad (economy, strength, power, health). 康复 is narrow (only health). If you want to say 'restore your strength,' use 恢复体力 (huīfù tǐlì).
痊愈 (quányù) vs. 康复 (kāngfù): 痊愈 is a more formal, medical term meaning 'completely healed' or 'cured.' While 康复 describes the process, 痊愈 describes the final result of being 100% better.
好转 (hǎozhuǎn) vs. 康复 (kāngfù): 好转 means 'to take a turn for the better.' It is used when a condition is improving but the person isn't necessarily 'recovered' yet. Example: '病情好转' (The illness is improving).

他的伤口已经完全痊愈了。(His wound has completely healed.)

In casual speech, you might just say '好了' (hǎole), as in '他的感冒好了' (His cold is better/gone). This is much more common in daily conversation than the more formal 康复.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '康' (kāng) originally depicted hands holding a tool to winnow grain, symbolizing abundance and the health that comes with having enough food.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɑːŋ fû/

US /kɑŋ fu/

Primary stress on the first syllable 'Kāng'.

Rhymes With

健康 (jiànkāng) 安康 (ānkāng) 富 (fù) 路 (lù) 步 (bù) 住 (zhù) 付 (fù) 固 (gù)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fù' with a rising tone (2nd tone) like 'fú'.
Pronouncing 'kāng' with a falling tone like 'kàng'.
Confusing the 'f' sound with an 'h' sound (common in some southern dialects).
Making 'kāng' too short; it should be held longer as it is a first tone.
Neglecting the aspiration in the 'k' of 'kāng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are somewhat complex but very common in health contexts.

Writing 4/5

The character '康' has many strokes and requires practice to write neatly.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in the common 'speedy recovery' phrase.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

健康 (Health) 医生 (Doctor) 医院 (Hospital) 病 (Illness) 好 (Good/Better)

Learn Next

治疗 (Treatment) 手术 (Surgery) 预防 (Prevention) 锻炼 (Exercise) 体检 (Check-up)

Advanced

痊愈 (Heal) 疗养 (Recuperate) 调理 (Conditioning) 后遗症 (Sequelae) 护理 (Nursing)

Grammar to Know

The Use of '早日' (zǎorì)

祝你早日康复。 (早日 acts as an adverb meaning 'at an early date'.)

The Particle '了' (le) for Change of State

他康复了。 (Indicates he was sick but now he is healthy.)

The '正在...中' (zhèngzài...zhōng) Pattern

他正在康复中。 (Indicates an ongoing state of recovery.)

Verb-Object Phrases vs. Intransitive Verbs

康复 is intransitive; you cannot say '康复他', only '让他康复'.

Adverbial Modification with '得' (de)

他康复得很好。 (The 'de' links the verb to its descriptive complement.)

Examples by Level

祝你早日康复。

I wish you a speedy recovery.

A standard set phrase for well-wishing.

他康复了。

He has recovered.

Subject + Verb + Particle 'le' for completed action.

老师康复了吗？

Has the teacher recovered?

Simple question with the particle 'ma'.

我祝你康复。

I wish you recovery.

Subject + Wish + Object + Verb.

你要早日康复。

You need to get well soon.

'Yao' indicates a wish or necessity here.

康复很快。

Recovery is fast.

Noun + Adverb + Adjective.

祝大家早日康复。

Wish everyone a speedy recovery.

'Dajia' means everyone.

谢谢，我康复了。

Thanks, I've recovered.

A polite response to a well-wish.

他在家里康复。

He is recovering at home.

Location 'zai jiali' comes before the verb.

康复中心在哪里？

Where is the recovery center?

Using 'zai nali' to ask for location.

医生说他已经康复了。

The doctor says he has already recovered.

'Yijing...le' structure for 'already'.

康复需要时间。

Recovery takes time.

'Xuyao' means 'need' or 'require'.

祝你身体早日康复。

Wish your body a speedy recovery.

Adding 'shenti' (body) makes it more specific.

他的康复情况很好。

His recovery situation is very good.

'Qingkuang' means situation/condition.

小王正在康复中。

Xiao Wang is currently in recovery.

'Zhengzai...zhong' indicates an ongoing process.

这种病很难康复。

This kind of illness is hard to recover from.

'Hen nan' means 'very difficult'.

坚持运动对康复很有帮助。

Persisting in exercise is very helpful for recovery.

'Dui...you bangzhu' means 'to be helpful for...'

手术后，他需要进行康复训练。

After surgery, he needs to undergo recovery training.

'Jinxing' is used for formal processes.

他的康复速度比我们预想的快。

His recovery speed is faster than we expected.

Comparison structure 'bi...kuai'.

良好的心态有利于身体康复。

A good mindset is beneficial to physical recovery.

'Youli yu' means 'is beneficial to'.

他在康复期间读了很多书。

He read many books during his recovery period.

'Qijian' means 'period of time'.

医生制定了一套康复计划。

The doctor formulated a set of recovery plans.

'Zhiding' means to formulate or draw up.

为了康复，他每天都去游泳。

In order to recover, he goes swimming every day.

'Weile' indicates purpose.

他还没完全康复，不能上班。

He hasn't fully recovered yet, so he can't go to work.

'Hai mei...wanquan' means 'not yet fully'.

这家康复医院的设备非常先进。

The equipment in this rehabilitation hospital is very advanced.

Attributive use of 'kangfu' modifying 'yiyuan'.

心理康复与生理康复同样重要。

Psychological recovery is just as important as physiological recovery.

'Yu...tongyang zhongyao' means 'is equally important as'.

他正在接受长期的康复治疗。

He is undergoing long-term rehabilitation treatment.

'Jieshou...zhiliao' means 'to receive treatment'.

社区为老年人提供了康复服务。

The community provides recovery services for the elderly.

'Wei...tigong' means 'to provide for'.

伤残军人的康复工作得到了重视。

The recovery work for disabled veterans has received attention.

'Dedao le zhongshi' means 'received attention/importance'.

康复过程可能会伴随着一些痛苦。

The recovery process might be accompanied by some pain.

'Bansui zhe' means 'accompanied by'.

专家对他的康复前景表示乐观。

Experts are optimistic about his recovery prospects.

'Dui...biaoshi leguan' means 'to be optimistic about'.

这种新型疗法缩短了康复周期。

This new therapy shortened the recovery cycle.

'Suoduan' means 'to shorten'.

该项目的目标是促进病患的社会康复。

The goal of this project is to promote the social rehabilitation of patients.

'Cujin' means 'to promote'.

康复医学在现代医疗体系中占据重要地位。

Rehabilitation medicine occupies an important position in the modern medical system.

'Zhanju...diwei' means 'to occupy a position'.

由于康复资源分配不均，偏远地区的患者面临困难。

Due to uneven distribution of recovery resources, patients in remote areas face difficulties.

'Youyu...fenpei bujun' means 'due to uneven distribution'.

术后早期的康复干预对功能恢复至关重要。

Early post-operative recovery intervention is crucial for functional restoration.

'Zhi guan zhongyao' means 'extremely important'.

政府增加了对残疾人康复事业的投入。

The government has increased investment in the cause of rehabilitation for the disabled.

'Zengjia...touru' means 'to increase investment'.

康复不仅是身体的修复，更是心灵的重塑。

Recovery is not just the repair of the body, but also the reshaping of the soul.

'Bujin shi...geng shi' means 'not only...but also'.

临床数据显示，及时的康复能显著降低致残率。

Clinical data shows that timely recovery can significantly reduce the disability rate.

'Xianzhu jiangdi' means 'to significantly reduce'.

康复师需要根据患者的具体情况调整方案。

The rehabilitation therapist needs to adjust the plan according to the patient's specific situation.

'Genju...tiaozheng' means 'to adjust according to'.

康复的真谛在于重建个体与世界的和谐关联。

The true essence of recovery lies in rebuilding the harmonious connection between the individual and the world.

'Zhendi' means 'true essence' or 'true meaning'.

在某些哲学语境下，康复被视为一种生命的回归与超越。

In certain philosophical contexts, recovery is seen as a return and transcendence of life.

'Beishi wei' means 'is regarded as'.

该论文探讨了跨文化视角下康复概念的演变。

The paper explores the evolution of the concept of recovery from a cross-cultural perspective.

'Tangtao' means 'to explore' or 'to discuss'.

康复权作为一项基本人权，应当得到法律的严密保护。

The right to recovery, as a basic human right, should be strictly protected by law.

'Zuowei' means 'as' or 'in the capacity of'.

这种极简主义的康复理念正逐渐影响着全球医疗界。

This minimalist recovery philosophy is gradually influencing the global medical community.

'Zujian yingxiang' means 'gradually influencing'.

康复不仅仅是生物学意义上的，它还涵盖了社会学范畴。

Recovery is not just in a biological sense; it also covers sociological categories.

'Haigan gai le' means 'also covers/encompasses'.

康复之路漫长而艰辛，需要患者拥有极大的意志力。

The road to recovery is long and arduous, requiring the patient to have great willpower.

'Manchang er jianxin' is a common descriptive pairing.

我们应当建立一个更具包容性的康复生态系统。

We should establish a more inclusive recovery ecosystem.

'Baorong xing' means 'inclusivity'.

Common Collocations

早日康复

康复训练

康复中心

完全康复

康复计划

心理康复

康复期

康复治疗

康复师

身体康复

Common Phrases

康复医学

— The field of medicine focused on rehabilitation. It is a specialized branch of healthcare.

他主修康复医学。

康复出院

— To be discharged from the hospital after recovery. It marks the end of inpatient treatment.

他今天康复出院了。

社会康复

— The process of reintegrating into society after a major illness or disability. Focuses on social skills and employment.

社会康复是最后一步。

康复器械

— Equipment used for rehabilitation, like walkers or specialized gym machines. Common in physical therapy centers.

这些康复器械很贵。

居家康复

— Recovery that takes place at home rather than in a hospital. Often involves home visits from nurses.

他选择居家康复。

职业康复

— Rehabilitation focused on returning to one's job. Includes retraining and workplace adjustments.

职业康复非常成功。

康复设施

— The physical tools and rooms available for recovery. Hospitals boast about high-quality facilities.

这里的康复设施齐全。

康复评估

— An assessment of how well a patient is recovering. Used to adjust treatment plans.

每周都要做康复评估。

康复护理

— Nursing care specifically for patients in recovery. Focuses on preventing complications.

他需要专业的康复护理。

康复热线

— A telephone hotline for recovery support. Often used for mental health or addiction recovery.

你可以拨打康复热线。

Often Confused With

康复 vs 恢复 (huīfù)

The most common confusion. Use 'huīfù' for systems, data, and general states. Use 'kāngfù' only for health.

康复 vs 重复 (chóngfù)

Sounds slightly similar but means 'to repeat' or 'duplicate.' No relation to health.

康复 vs 康泰 (kāngtài)

A very formal/literary word for health and peace, usually for elders. '康复' is for the process of getting better.

Idioms & Expressions

"康庄大道"

— A broad, smooth road; a bright future. While not directly about health, it shares the character '康' (peace/health).

祝你走上康庄大道。

Formal/Literary

"身心健康"

— Healthy in both body and mind. Often used alongside recovery goals.

康复的目标是身心健康。

Neutral

"起死回生"

— To bring back from the dead; a miraculous recovery. Used for extreme medical successes.

医生的医术让他起死回生。

Literary

"药到病除"

— As soon as the medicine is taken, the illness is removed. Implies a very fast recovery.

这药真是药到病除。

Casual/Idiomatic

"生龙活虎"

— Full of vigor and vitality. Used to describe someone after they have recovered.

康复后他又变得生龙活虎了。

Casual

"枯木逢春"

— A withered tree meeting spring; to get a new lease on life. Used for unexpected recovery.

他的病好了，真是枯木逢春。

Literary

"安然无恙"

— Safe and sound; to come through an ordeal without harm. Often used after a surgery.

手术很成功，他安然无恙。

Formal

"转危为安"

— To pull through a crisis; to be out of danger. The first step towards recovery.

病人已经转危为安了。

Neutral

"返老还童"

— To regain youthful vigor. A hyperbolic way to describe a great recovery.

康复后他像返老还童一样。

Literary

"精气神"

— Spirit, energy, and soul. Indicators used to measure how well someone is recovering.

看他的精气神，肯定康复了。

Casual

Easily Confused

康复 vs 恢复

Both translate to 'recover' in English.

恢复 is broad (economy, strength, files); 康复 is specifically medical/health.

经济恢复了 (Economy recovered) vs 身体康复了 (Body recovered).

康复 vs 痊愈

Both refer to getting better.

痊愈 is the result (100% healed); 康复 is the process (rehab/getting better).

他还没痊愈，但正在康复。(He's not fully healed, but is recovering.)

康复 vs 好转

Both indicate improvement.

好转 means 'improving' (a change in direction); 康复 is the 'recovery' itself.

病情好转了，离康复不远了。(The condition improved; recovery is not far.)

康复 vs 复原

Both mean returning to a state.

复原 is often used for objects or historical artifacts; 康复 is for living beings.

文物已经复原了。(The artifact is restored.)

康复 vs 康宁

Shares the 'Kang' character.

康宁 is a state of peaceful health/blessing; 康复 is an action/process.

祝您福寿康宁。(Wish you longevity and peace.)

Sentence Patterns

祝你早日康复。

[人]已经康复了。

小王已经康复了。

由于[原因]，他正在进行康复。

由于腿伤，他正在进行康复。

康复需要[时间]。

康复需要一个月。

[某事]对康复有好处。

多喝水对康复有好处。

在[时间]期间，他完成了康复。

在暑假期间，他完成了康复。

康复的关键在于[因素]。

康复的关键在于积极的心态。

[抽象概念]的康复是一个漫长的过程。

社会信任的康复是一个漫长的过程。

Word Family

Nouns

康复中心 (Rehabilitation Center)

康复师 (Rehabilitator)

康复学 (Rehabilitation Studies)

Verbs

康复 (To recover)

康复治疗 (To treat for recovery)

Adjectives

康复中的 (Recovering)

康复良好的 (Well-recovered)

健康 (Health)

恢复 (Restore)

痊愈 (Heal)

宁静 (Tranquility)

复原 (Restoration)

How to Use It

frequency

Very frequent in medical and social well-wishing contexts.

Common Mistakes

祝你康复早日。 → 祝你早日康复。
Adverbs like '早日' (early date) must come before the verb '康复' in Chinese.
我的电脑康复了。 → 我的电脑恢复了。
'康复' is only for biological health. For computers or systems, use '恢复'.
医生康复了他。 → 他在医生的帮助下康复了。
'康复' is intransitive. You cannot 'recover' someone else; they recover themselves.
他康复得很快了。 → 他康复得很快。
When using '得' to describe a verb, you don't usually need '了' at the end of the adjective.
康复训练很有用对身体。 → 康复训练对身体很有用。
The '对...[adjective]' structure requires the prepositional phrase to come before the adjective.

Tips

Using '早日'

Always pair '康复' with '早日' (zǎorì) when making a wish. It means 'at an early date' and makes the wish sound complete and natural.

Visiting Patients

When visiting someone in '康复', it is traditional to bring fruit. Apples (píngguǒ) are popular because the word sounds like 'peace' (píng'ān).

Kang vs. Jian

Remember that '康' (kāng) and '健' (jiàn) both mean health. '健康' is the general word for health, while '康复' is the specific word for getting health back.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the '广' radical in '康'. It represents a building or shelter, which might help you remember it's related to the 'shelter' of health.

Business Etiquette

If a business partner is ill, sending a formal email with '祝您早日康复' is a great way to build 'guanxi' (relationships).

Listen for Tone 4

The falling tone on 'fù' is crucial. Practice it by imagining you are stamping your foot on the ground as you say it.

Avoid 'Huifu' for People

While you *can* use '恢复' for a person's health, '康复' is much more specific and common for medical recovery. '恢复' is better for 'restoring' energy.

Rehab Terms

If you work in healthcare, learn '康复师' (therapist) and '康复科' (rehab department). These are essential hospital vocabulary.

The 'K' Connection

Associate the 'K' in 'Kang' with 'Kindness.' You wish 'Kang' to people you are kind to.

Sentence Flow

Don't pause too long between 'Kang' and 'Fu.' It should flow as one cohesive word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Kangaroo' (Kang) 'Food' (Fu). If a sick kangaroo eats its special food, it will 'Kang-Fu' (recover) quickly!

Visual Association

Imagine a hospital sign with a large 'K' for Kang and a 'U-turn' arrow for Fu, showing a return to health.

Word Web

Health Hospital Physical Therapy Medicine Well-wishes Strength Rest Return

Challenge

Try to use '康复' in a sentence today when talking about a friend who was sick last week, or write '祝你早日康复' on a piece of paper to practice the characters.

Word Origin

The term '康复' appears in ancient Chinese texts, where '康' (kāng) signified a state of ease, peace, and abundance, and '复' (fù) signified returning to a previous state. It has been used for centuries to describe the return to a peaceful, healthy state of being.

Original meaning: Returning to a state of peace and health.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Avoid using '康复' for terminal illnesses where recovery is not expected, as it might seem insensitive. In those cases, '保重' (take care) is better.

English speakers use 'Get well soon' casually, but 'Rehabilitation' is very formal. In Chinese, '康复' covers both.

The phrase '祝你早日康复' is a staple in Chinese 'Get Well' cards. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often uses '康复' to describe the balancing of Qi. Athletes like Yao Ming have been the subject of many '康复' news reports.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital Visit

祝你早日康复
康复得怎么样？
医生怎么说？
多休息。

Sports Injury

康复训练
什么时候能回赛场？
康复进度
不要着急。

Work/Office

请病假康复
身体康复后再上班
祝同事早日康复
代理工作。

Pharmacy

有助于康复的药
康复期间的注意事项
服用方法
副作用。

Mental Health

心理康复
心情好转
寻求帮助
走出阴影。

Conversation Starters

"听说你最近身体不太好，现在康复得怎么样了？"

"你知道这附近哪家康复中心比较专业吗？"

"祝你的家人早日康复，有什么需要帮忙的吗？"

"对于运动员来说，康复训练是不是最痛苦的部分？"

"你觉得手术后的康复期最重要的是什么？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你或者你朋友康复的经历。在这个过程中，谁提供了最大的帮助？

你认为心理康复在整个医疗过程中占据什么样的地位？为什么？

写一段话，送给正在生病的朋友，表达你对他们早日康复的祝愿。

如果我们要建立一个完美的康复中心，它应该具备哪些设施和环境？

讨论一下现代科技（如机器人、AI）是如何改变康复医学的。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '康复' is strictly for living beings and their health. For a computer or data, you should use '恢复' (huīfù).

The standard phrase is '祝你早日康复' (zhù nǐ zǎorì kāngfù). It is polite, idiomatic, and used by everyone.

It can be both. As a noun, it means 'recovery' or 'rehabilitation' (e.g., 康复中心). As a verb, it means 'to recover' (e.g., 他康复了).

It is '康复中心' (kāngfù zhōngxīn).

'康复' is the process of recovering or rehabilitation. '痊愈' means you are completely, 100% healed and the illness is gone.

No, '康复' is intransitive. You should say '让他康复' (let him recover) or '帮助他康复' (help him recover).

It is neutral to slightly formal. In very casual speech, people might just say '好了' (hǎole).

Use it when referring to physical therapy or exercises someone does to get their strength back after an injury or surgery.

'康' (kāng) means health, peace, or abundance. It is the same 'kang' as in '健康' (jiànkāng - health).

Yes, you can use '心理康复' (xīnlǐ kāngfù) to refer to psychological recovery or rehabilitation.