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B2 noun #3,000 most common 8 min read

症状

zhengzhuang Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 症状 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 症状 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '症状' (zhèngzhuàng) yet. Instead, you focus on simple ways to say you are sick. You use '我不舒服' (wǒ bù shūfu) to say 'I don't feel well' or '我生病了' (wǒ shēngbìng le) for 'I am sick.' You learn specific body parts and simple problems like '我头疼' (wǒ tóuténg - my head hurts) or '我咳嗽' (wǒ késou - I cough). The concept of a 'symptom' as a general category is too abstract for this stage. You are just learning to name the feelings directly. If a doctor asked you for your symptoms, you would simply list the things that hurt. This level is about building the basic vocabulary of the body and basic physical sensations.

At the A2 level, you might start to encounter '症状' (zhèngzhuàng) in simple health dialogues or reading passages about going to the doctor. You understand that it means 'symptoms.' You can recognize it when a doctor asks '你有什么症状？' (What symptoms do you have?). You learn to pair it with simple adjectives like '轻微' (qīngwēi - slight). You are beginning to categorize your feelings. Instead of just saying 'I have a fever,' you can understand a sentence like '发烧是感冒的一种症状' (Fever is a symptom of a cold). You are moving from just experiencing sensations to being able to label those sensations as medical indicators in a very basic way.

At the B1 level, you use '症状' (zhèngzhuàng) more actively. You can describe how symptoms change, using verbs like '出现' (chūxiàn - appear) and '消失' (xiāoshī - disappear). You can talk about common illnesses and their typical symptoms using the structure '[Illness] 的症状包括...' (The symptoms of [Illness] include...). You are also learning to use '缓解' (huǎnjiě - relieve) in the context of taking medicine to make symptoms better. You can have a basic conversation with a pharmacist or a school nurse about a child's health, using '症状' to provide a clear summary of the situation. Your vocabulary is expanding to include more specific symptoms like '流鼻涕' (runny nose) or '嗓子疼' (sore throat).

At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you have a nuanced understanding of '症状' (zhèngzhuàng). You can distinguish between '症状' (subjective symptoms) and '体征' (objective signs) in a formal context. You can use advanced collocations like '典型症状' (typical symptoms), '初期症状' (early symptoms), and '无症状感染' (asymptomatic infection). You can discuss the relationship between symptoms and underlying causes in more complex sentences. You are comfortable using the word in both medical and metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'the symptoms of a failing economy'). You can read health articles in newspapers or online and understand the detailed descriptions of various medical conditions and their clinical presentations.

At the C1 level, you use '症状' (zhèngzhuàng) with professional precision. You can participate in complex discussions about healthcare policy, medical ethics, or specialized medical fields. You understand the nuances of how '症状' is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) vs. Western medicine. You can use formal synonyms like '病状' or '临床表现' appropriately. You can write detailed reports or essays about health issues, using '症状' as part of a sophisticated analysis of public health trends. You also understand the cultural implications of how symptoms are discussed in Chinese society, such as the tendency to focus on physical symptoms even when the underlying cause might be psychological (somatization).

At the C2 level, your mastery of '症状' (zhèngzhuàng) is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You can understand highly technical medical literature, academic papers, and legal documents where the precise definition of a symptom is critical. You can use the word in high-level metaphorical and philosophical contexts with ease. You are aware of the historical evolution of the characters 症 and 状 and can appreciate literary uses of the term. You can navigate the most complex medical situations in a Chinese-speaking environment, advocating for yourself or others with perfect linguistic accuracy. You understand the subtle emotional weight the word can carry in different social settings, from a clinical consultation to a supportive conversation with a terminally ill friend.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

症状 in 30 Seconds

症状 (zhèngzhuàng) means 'symptom' and describes manifestations of illness.
It is a formal noun used in medical, daily, and metaphorical contexts.
Commonly pairs with verbs like 出现 (appear), 缓解 (relieve), and 消失 (disappear).
Essential for discussing health and visiting doctors in Chinese-speaking regions.

The term 症状 (zhèngzhuàng) is a fundamental medical and everyday term in Chinese used to describe the physical or mental manifestations of a health condition. It is composed of two characters: 症 (zhèng), which refers to disease or illness, and 状 (zhuàng), which means form, state, or appearance. Together, they literally translate to 'the form of the illness.' In English, we most commonly translate this as 'symptom.' Understanding this word is crucial for navigating healthcare, discussing well-being with friends, or even describing technical issues in a metaphorical sense.

Medical Precision: In a clinical setting, 症状 specifically refers to subjective experiences. While a 'sign' (体征 - tǐzhēng) is something a doctor can measure, like blood pressure, a 症状 is something the patient feels, like nausea or a dull ache. When you visit a doctor in China, the first thing they will ask is about your 症状.

如果你感到不舒服，请详细描述你的症状。 (If you feel unwell, please describe your symptoms in detail.)

Beyond the hospital, the word is used in social contexts to express concern. If a friend looks pale or is coughing, you might ask them what their symptoms are to help determine if they need rest or medical attention. It is a word that bridges the gap between formal medical terminology and daily life concerns about health and vitality.

Metaphorical Usage: Sometimes, 症状 is used metaphorically to describe problems in a system or society. For instance, a high unemployment rate might be described as a 'symptom' of a deeper economic crisis. However, this is less common than the medical usage.

这种社会现象只是更深层次问题的症状。 (This social phenomenon is merely a symptom of a deeper problem.)

In summary, 症状 is your go-to word for any health-related manifestation. Whether you are talking about a common cold, a complex chronic illness, or even psychological distress, this word provides the necessary framework to communicate what is happening within the body or mind. It is a formal yet accessible term that every B2-level learner must master for effective communication in Chinese-speaking environments.

Using 症状 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the specific verbs it frequently pairs with. In Chinese, symptoms are usually 'appearing' (出现), 'relieving' (缓解), or 'disappearing' (消失). You don't 'have' a symptom in the same way you 'have' an object; rather, the symptom manifests itself on or within you.

Common Verb Pairings: The most common verb used with 症状 is 出现 (chūxiàn - to appear). For example, '出现症状' means 'symptoms appeared.' When symptoms get better, we use 减轻 (jiǎnqīng - to lighten/reduce) or 缓解 (huǎnjiě - to relieve). When they are gone, we use 消失 (xiāoshī - to disappear).

服药后，感冒的症状明显减轻了。 (After taking the medicine, the symptoms of the cold were significantly reduced.)

When describing the nature of the symptoms, adjectives are placed before the noun. Common descriptors include 明显的 (míngxiǎn de - obvious), 轻微的 (qīngwēi de - slight), 严重的 (yánzhòng de - serious), and 典型的 (diǎnxíng de - typical). For instance, '典型的症状' (typical symptoms) is a phrase frequently found in medical textbooks and news reports.

Subject-Predicate Structure: In many sentences, 症状 acts as the subject. '症状持续了三天' (The symptoms lasted for three days). Here, the focus is on the duration or behavior of the symptoms themselves rather than the person experiencing them.

医生询问病人是否有任何不寻常的症状。 (The doctor asked the patient if there were any unusual symptoms.)

Finally, it's important to note the negative form. To say someone is 'asymptomatic,' the Chinese term is 无症状 (wú zhèngzhuàng), literally 'no symptoms.' This became a very common phrase during the COVID-19 pandemic (无症状感染者 - asymptomatic carrier). Mastering these patterns allows you to describe health conditions with the precision required at a B2 proficiency level.

The word 症状 is ubiquitous in any environment related to health, wellness, and biology. However, the tone and context in which you hear it can vary significantly. In a professional medical setting, such as a hospital (医院) or a community clinic (社区诊所), the word is used with high frequency and clinical detachment.

In the Hospital: When you check in at a triage desk, the nurse might ask, '你有什么症状？' (What symptoms do you have?). During a consultation, a specialist might say, '你的症状符合某种疾病的特征' (Your symptoms match the characteristics of a certain disease). In these cases, the word is a tool for diagnostic classification.

由于症状复杂，医生建议做进一步检查。 (Because the symptoms are complex, the doctor recommended further tests.)

On Chinese news broadcasts or health-focused TV programs, 症状 is used to educate the public. You might hear a news anchor discussing the 'early symptoms' (早期症状) of the seasonal flu or a new health trend. These segments often use the word to empower viewers to recognize health issues before they become severe. Pharmacy advertisements also use it: '快速缓解过敏症状' (Quickly relieve allergy symptoms).

Workplace and Schools: In modern Chinese corporate culture, if you are applying for sick leave, you might need to provide a doctor's note that lists your 症状. Similarly, schools use this word in health protocols, especially during flu season, to tell parents which 症状 require a child to stay home.

如果学生出现发烧症状，请立即通知学校。 (If a student develops fever symptoms, please notify the school immediately.)

Lastly, in the digital age, you will see this word on health apps and websites like Baidu Health. Users often search for '症状' followed by their specific feelings to find potential causes. While doctors discourage self-diagnosis, the word 症状 is the primary keyword for anyone seeking health information online in Chinese.

Even at the B2 level, learners often make subtle mistakes with 症状. The most frequent error is confusing it with other words that relate to illness or signs, such as 病 (bìng), 征兆 (zhēngzhào), or 表现 (biǎoxiàn).

Mistake 1: Using 症状 when you mean the disease itself: Learners sometimes say '我的症状是感冒' (My symptom is a cold). This is incorrect. A cold is the disease (病), while the cough or fever are the 症状. The correct way to say it is '我感冒了，症状是咳嗽' (I have a cold, and the symptom is a cough).

错误：他的症状是肺炎。 (Wrong: His symptom is pneumonia.)
正确：他的症状包括高烧和呼吸困难。 (Correct: His symptoms include high fever and difficulty breathing.)

Another common mistake is the confusion between 症状 and 征兆 (zhēngzhào). While both can be translated as 'sign' or 'symptom' in some contexts, 征兆 usually refers to an omen or a sign that something is *about* to happen, often in a non-medical context (like an earthquake or a market crash). 症状 is strictly for a condition that is already present.

Mistake 2: Confusing 症状 with 表现: 表现 (biǎoxiàn) means 'manifestation' or 'performance.' While a symptom is a manifestation, 表现 is much broader. You can talk about a student's '表现' in class, but you cannot use '症状' there. In medical contexts, 表现 is often used for how a disease 'presents' itself clinically, which includes both symptoms and signs.

Lastly, be careful with the verb 'to have.' In English, we say 'I have symptoms.' In Chinese, while '有症状' is perfectly fine, it's often more natural to use '出现症状' (symptoms appeared) or '表现出...的症状' (showed symptoms of...). Avoiding the over-reliance on the verb '有' (yǒu) will make your Chinese sound more advanced and natural.

To truly master 症状, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. Depending on the level of formality and the specific context, you might choose a different word to express a similar idea.

症状 vs. 病情 (bìngqíng): While 症状 refers to the specific manifestations (like a cough), 病情 refers to the overall state or progress of the illness. A doctor might say '病情稳定' (the condition is stable), which encompasses all symptoms and the patient's general health status.
症状 vs. 反应 (fǎnyìng): 反应 means 'reaction' or 'response.' It is often used for side effects of medicine (不良反应 - adverse reaction) or the body's response to an allergen. While a reaction can *be* a symptom, the focus is on the cause-effect relationship.

这种药可能会引起一些副作用，但不是疾病本身的症状。 (This medicine might cause some side effects, but they are not symptoms of the disease itself.)

In more academic or clinical writing, you might encounter 临床表现 (línchuáng biǎoxiàn), which means 'clinical manifestations.' This is a broader term that includes 症状 (what the patient feels) and 体征 (what the doctor sees). It is the standard term used in medical journals and formal diagnoses.

For 'signs' or 'omens' in a non-medical context, use 迹象 (jìxiàng) or 前兆 (qiánzhào). For example, '经济复苏的迹象' (signs of economic recovery). Using 症状 in these contexts would sound like you are personifying the economy as a sick patient—which can be a powerful metaphor, but should be used intentionally.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The radical '疒' is often called the 'sick' radical because almost every Chinese word related to pain, disease, or fatigue (like 疼, 瘦, 疲) contains it.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈsɪmptəm/

US /ˈsɪmptəm/

In Chinese 'zhèngzhuàng', both syllables carry the fourth tone (falling tone).

Rhymes With

胖 (pàng) 放 (fàng) 唱 (chàng) 让 (ràng) 上 (shàng) 亮 (liàng) 样 (yàng) 棒 (bàng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zheng' as 'zeng' (missing the 'h').
Pronouncing 'zhuang' as 'zuang' (missing the 'h').
Using the wrong tone (e.g., first tone instead of fourth).
Confusing the 'zh' sound with 'j'.
Failing to emphasize the falling nature of the fourth tone on both syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

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

Writing 4/5

The character 症 requires careful stroke order for the radical 疒.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once the 'zh' sound is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easily recognizable in medical and news contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

病疼医生身体舒服

Learn Next

诊断治疗预防体征感染

Advanced

综合征病理学并发症免疫系统临床试验

Grammar to Know

The use of '的' to link diseases and symptoms.

糖尿病的症状 (Symptoms of diabetes).

Resultative complements with symptoms.

症状消失了 (The symptoms have disappeared - 'liao' as result).

Adverbs of degree with symptoms.

症状非常严重 (The symptoms are very serious).

Topic-comment structure.

这个病，症状不明显 (As for this disease, the symptoms are not obvious).

Conditional sentences for medical advice.

如果有症状，就吃药 (If there are symptoms, then take medicine).

Examples by Level

我感冒了。

I have a cold.

Simple subject + verb phrase.

我头疼。

My head hurts.

Subject + adjective/verb of pain.

他发烧了。

He has a fever.

Use of 'le' to indicate a change of state.

我不舒服。

I don't feel well.

Negation 'bu' + comfortable.

医生，我咳嗽。

Doctor, I have a cough.

Addressing the doctor directly.

你哪里疼？

Where does it hurt?

Question word 'nali' for location.

我肚子疼。

My stomach hurts.

Body part + 'teng'.

吃药吧。

Take some medicine.

Suggestion particle 'ba'.

感冒的症状是什么？

What are the symptoms of a cold?

Possessive 'de' + noun.

他有轻微的症状。

He has slight symptoms.

Adjective 'qingwei' modifying 'zhengzhuang'.

这些症状持续了几天？

How many days have these symptoms lasted?

Verb 'chixu' + duration.

如果症状严重，就去医院。

If the symptoms are serious, go to the hospital.

Conditional 'ruguo... jiu...' structure.

我的症状好多了。

My symptoms are much better.

Comparative 'hao duole'.

这种药可以缓解症状。

This medicine can relieve symptoms.

Auxiliary verb 'keyi' + verb 'huanjie'.

你有什么不舒服的症状？

What uncomfortable symptoms do you have?

Adjective phrase modifying the noun.

发烧是常见的症状。

Fever is a common symptom.

Topic-comment structure.

病人描述了他的主要症状。

The patient described his main symptoms.

Verb 'miaoshu' (describe).

服药后，症状逐渐消失了。

After taking the medicine, the symptoms gradually disappeared.

Adverb 'zhujian' (gradually).

这种病的初期症状不明显。

The early symptoms of this disease are not obvious.

Compound 'chuqi zhengzhuang' (early symptoms).

医生正在检查他的症状。

The doctor is checking his symptoms.

Continuous aspect 'zhengzai'.

过敏的症状包括打喷嚏和流泪。

Allergy symptoms include sneezing and tearing.

Verb 'baokuo' (include).

你应该记录下每天的症状。

You should record your symptoms every day.

Verb 'jilu' (record).

这种症状可能是由压力引起的。

This symptom might be caused by stress.

Passive-like structure 'you... yinqi'.

一旦出现症状，请立即就医。

Once symptoms appear, please seek medical attention immediately.

Conjunction 'yidan' (once).

这种罕见病的典型症状是关节疼痛。

The typical symptom of this rare disease is joint pain.

Adjective 'dianxing' (typical).

医生需要排除其他可能的症状。

The doctor needs to rule out other possible symptoms.

Verb 'paichu' (rule out/exclude).

无症状感染者也具有传染性。

Asymptomatic carriers are also infectious.

Technical term 'wu zhengzhuang ganranzhe'.

这些症状在老年人中更为普遍。

These symptoms are more common among the elderly.

Structure 'zai... zhong' (among...).

心理压力往往会转化为躯体症状。

Psychological stress often manifests as physical symptoms.

Verb 'zhuanhua wei' (transform into).

该药物能有效抑制炎症症状。

The drug can effectively suppress inflammatory symptoms.

Adverb 'youxiao' + verb 'yizhi'.

我们需要关注症状背后的深层原因。

We need to focus on the underlying causes behind the symptoms.

Prepositional phrase 'beihou de' (behind).

患者的症状与诊断结果相符。

The patient's symptoms match the diagnosis.

Verb 'xiangfu' (match/tally).

临床表现是诊断的重要依据，尤其是症状的演变过程。

Clinical presentation is an important basis for diagnosis, especially the evolution of symptoms.

Formal term 'linchuang biǎoxiàn'.

尽管症状有所缓解，但仍需继续观察。

Although the symptoms have eased, continued observation is still necessary.

Conjunction 'jinguan... dan...' (although... but...).

这种药物的副作用有时会掩盖原有的症状。

The side effects of this drug can sometimes mask the original symptoms.

Verb 'yangai' (mask/cover).

中西医对症状的理解和分类存在显著差异。

There are significant differences in the understanding and classification of symptoms between TCM and Western medicine.

Subject 'zhongxiyi' (TCM and Western medicine).

在缺乏明显症状的情况下，筛查变得尤为重要。

In the absence of obvious symptoms, screening becomes particularly important.

Structure 'zai... de qingkuang xia'.

症状的严重程度与病毒载量之间存在正相关关系。

There is a positive correlation between the severity of symptoms and the viral load.

Academic term 'zheng xiangguan' (positive correlation).

医生必须仔细辨别主观症状与客观体征。

Doctors must carefully distinguish subjective symptoms from objective signs.

Verb 'bianbie' (distinguish).

该病症的症状表现具有高度的个体差异性。

The symptoms of this condition exhibit high individual variability.

Noun 'yiti chayi xing' (individual variability).

症状学作为医学的一个分支，专门研究疾病的表现及其规律。

Symptomatology, as a branch of medicine, specializes in studying the manifestations of diseases and their patterns.

Formal academic field 'zhengzhuang xue'.

这种社会动荡被视为体制性弊端的某种症状。

This social unrest is seen as a symptom of systemic flaws.

Metaphorical usage in social science.

通过精密的仪器，我们可以探测到那些尚未转化为症状的生理异常。

Through sophisticated instruments, we can detect physiological abnormalities that have not yet manifested as symptoms.

Complex clause structure.

在文学作品中，主人公的身体症状往往映射出其内心的焦虑。

In literary works, the protagonist's physical symptoms often mirror their inner anxiety.

Literary analysis context.

该报告详尽地论述了戒断症状的生理与心理机制。

The report elaborates in detail on the physiological and psychological mechanisms of withdrawal symptoms.

Compound 'jieduan zhengzhuang' (withdrawal symptoms).

医生在处理此类复杂病例时，绝不能仅凭单一症状下结论。

When dealing with such complex cases, doctors must never draw conclusions based on a single symptom alone.

Adverbial 'jue bu neng' (must never).

症状的消失并不等同于疾病的痊愈，这一点至关重要。

The disappearance of symptoms is not equivalent to the cure of the disease; this point is crucial.

Structure 'bu dengtong yu' (not equivalent to).

这种跨学科的研究方法为解析复杂症状提供了新的视角。

This interdisciplinary research method provides a new perspective for analyzing complex symptoms.

Formal academic phrasing.

Synonyms

病症征兆表现迹象

Common Collocations

出现症状

缓解症状

典型症状

初期症状

严重症状

轻微症状

无症状

描述症状

消失症状

疑似症状

Common Phrases

无症状感染者

— Asymptomatic carrier. A person infected with a pathogen but showing no symptoms.

无症状感染者也可能传播病毒。

戒断症状

— Withdrawal symptoms. Physical or mental effects after stopping an addictive substance.

戒烟时可能会出现戒断症状。

心理症状

— Psychological symptoms. Mental manifestations of a condition.

焦虑症有很多心理症状。

躯体症状

— Physical/Somatic symptoms. Physical manifestations of a condition.

压力大会导致各种躯体症状。

早期症状

— Early symptoms. Signs that appear at the beginning of an illness.

早期症状往往容易被忽视。

主要症状

— Main symptoms. The most prominent signs of an illness.

这种病的主要症状是高烧。

伴随症状

— Accompanying symptoms. Secondary signs that occur along with main ones.

头痛常伴随恶心等症状。

慢性症状

— Chronic symptoms. Symptoms that persist for a long time.

他一直在忍受慢性症状的折磨。

疑似症状

— Suspected symptoms. Signs that suggest a specific condition.

他有疑似新冠的症状。

临床症状

— Clinical symptoms. Symptoms observed in a medical setting.

临床症状是诊断的关键。

Often Confused With

症状 vs 征兆

征兆 refers to an omen or a sign of something to come, while 症状 is a current manifestation of illness.

症状 vs 病情

病情 is the overall state of the illness, while 症状 are the specific individual feelings/signs.

症状 vs 病症

病症 often refers to the disease or medical condition itself, whereas 症状 is the manifestation.

Idioms & Expressions

"对症下药"

— To prescribe the right medicine for a symptom. Metaphorically, to find the right solution for a problem.

我们要分析原因，对症下药。

Very Common

"不治之症"

— An incurable disease. While not containing 'zhuang', it uses the root 'zheng'.

在过去，这被认为是不治之症。

Formal

"对症之药"

— The right medicine for the symptom. Similar to the idiom above.

找到对症之药并不容易。

Formal

"病入膏肓"

— The disease has reached the vitals; beyond cure. Describes a hopeless situation.

由于耽误了治疗，他的病已经病入膏肓。

Literary

"痛定思痛"

— To recall past pain and learn from it. Relates to the experience of physical/mental distress.

我们应该痛定思痛，改进工作。

Formal

"讳疾忌医"

— To hide one's illness and avoid the doctor. Relates to ignoring 症状.

不能讳疾忌医，有问题要及时解决。

Common

"起死回生"

— To bring back from the dead. Used when a severe 症状 is cured miraculously.

这位医生的医术高明，能起死回生。

Common

"药到病除"

— As soon as the medicine arrives, the disease is removed. Used when 症状 disappear quickly.

这种新药真是药到病除。

Common

"百病丛生"

— A hundred diseases arise together. Used when many 症状 appear at once.

如果不好好锻炼，就会百病丛生。

Formal

"手到病除"

— The disease is cured the moment the hand touches. Praise for a skilled doctor.

王大夫真是手到病除，太神奇了。

Common

Easily Confused

症状 vs 体征

Both relate to medical indicators.

症状 is subjective (felt by patient), while 体征 is objective (measured by doctor).

医生检查了我的体征，并询问了我的症状。

症状 vs 反应

Both describe bodily changes.

反应 emphasizes a reaction to a specific stimulus (like a drug), while 症状 is a general sign of illness.

这是药物的正常反应，不是疾病的症状。

症状 vs 表现

Both mean manifestation.

表现 is broader and can apply to behavior, performance, or clinical signs.

他在学校的表现很好，但最近出现了焦虑的症状。

症状 vs 迹象

Both mean 'sign'.

迹象 is general; 症状 is specifically medical.

天空中有下雨的迹象，但我没有感冒的症状。

症状 vs 后果

Both can follow an illness.

后果 is the result or consequence; 症状 is the present indicator.

不注意症状的后果可能很严重。

Sentence Patterns

我有[Symptom]的症状。

我有发烧的症状。

[Disease]的症状包括[Symptom 1]和[Symptom 2]。

感冒的症状包括咳嗽和流鼻涕。

如果出现[Symptom]症状，请[Action]。

如果出现严重症状，请去医院。

这种药能有效缓解[Symptom]症状。

这种药能有效缓解过敏症状。

患者表现出明显的[Adjective]症状。

患者表现出明显的初期症状。

尽管[Symptom]有所减轻，但病情依然复杂。

尽管症状有所减轻，但病情依然复杂。

该病的临床表现以[Symptom]为主。

该病的临床表现以乏力为主。

症状的演变过程为诊断提供了关键线索。

Word Family

Nouns

症 (zhèng - disease)

状 (zhuàng - form)

病症 (bìngzhèng - illness)

症候 (zhènghòu - syndrome)

Verbs

对症 (duìzhèng - to be appropriate for the symptom)

Adjectives

多症的 (duōzhèng de - multi-symptomatic - rare)

无症状的 (wúzhèngzhuàng de - asymptomatic)

疾病 (jíbìng - disease)

诊断 (zhěnduàn - diagnosis)

治疗 (zhìliáo - treatment)

医生 (yīshēng - doctor)

医院 (yīyuàn - hospital)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in medical and health-related discussions.

Common Mistakes

我的症状是感冒。 → 我的病是感冒，症状是发烧。
A cold is a disease, not a symptom.
他征兆了咳嗽。 → 他出现了咳嗽的症状。
征兆 is a noun, not a verb, and it's the wrong word for a current symptom.
症状很有力。 → 症状很严重。
Use 严重 (serious) or 明显 (obvious) instead of 有力 (powerful) for symptoms.
我没有病状。 → 我没有症状。
While 病状 exists, 症状 is the standard word in 99% of cases.
医生检查了我的症状。 → 医生询问了我的症状，检查了我的身体。
Doctors 'ask about' symptoms (which are subjective) and 'examine' the body or 'signs'.

Tips

Verb Pairing

Always pair 症状 with 出现 (appear) or 消失 (disappear) for natural-sounding Chinese.

Technical Terms

Learn '无症状' (asymptomatic) as it is extremely common in modern health contexts.

TCM Context

In China, people might describe symptoms in terms of 'heat' or 'dampness'—don't be confused!

Radical Recognition

The radical 疒 always signals something related to health or illness.

Doctor Visits

When visiting a doctor, start with '我有...症状' to be clear and professional.

News Keywords

症状 is a frequent keyword in health-related news broadcasts.

Visual Memory

Picture a 'shape' (状) of 'sickness' (症) to remember the word.

Sign vs Symptom

Remember: 症状 is what you feel; 体征 is what the doctor sees.

Metaphorical Use

Use 症状 to describe systemic problems to sound more sophisticated in B2 essays.

Daily Check

Try to describe how you feel each morning using the word 症状.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'sick' radical (疒) in 症 as a person in a bed with a roof. The 状 is the 'shape' or 'form' of that person's suffering.

Visual Association

Imagine a doctor's clipboard (状) with a list of red 'X' marks representing the illness (症).

Word Web

发烧咳嗽头疼恶心乏力流涕胸闷腹泻

Challenge

Try to list five symptoms of the common cold in Chinese using the word 症状 in a full sentence.

Word Origin

The character '症' (zhèng) is a phono-semantic compound. The radical '疒' (nè) relates to sickness or being bedridden. The phonetic part '正' (zhèng) provides the sound. '状' (zhuàng) originally depicted a dog (犬) and a tall/formative element, meaning 'form' or 'appearance.'

Original meaning: The combined meaning is 'the appearance or form of an illness.'

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when asking about 症状 in public; health is a private matter for many, though older generations in China may discuss it quite openly.

In English-speaking cultures, 'symptom' is used similarly, but patients are often encouraged to be very specific about pain levels (1-10 scale), which is less formalized in casual Chinese conversation.

The phrase '对症下药' is a very famous idiom used in politics and business. During the COVID-19 pandemic, '无症状' became a word of the year in China. Medical dramas on Chinese TV (like '急诊科医生') use this word constantly.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

描述症状
询问症状
记录症状
检查症状

Pharmacy

缓解症状的药
过敏症状
感冒症状
止咳症状

News/Media

初期症状
典型症状
无症状感染
严重症状

Workplace (Sick Leave)

身体症状
不适症状
病假症状
医生建议

Academic/Medical Study

临床表现
症状学
病理症状
心理症状

Conversation Starters

"你感冒的时候通常有什么症状？"

"你觉得过敏最难受的症状是什么？"

"如果出现不寻常的症状，你会立刻去看医生吗？"

"你听说过‘无症状感染’这个词吗？"

"怎么才能通过症状区分流感和普通感冒？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你生病的经历，详细写下当时出现的症状以及你是如何缓解它们的。

你认为现代人的压力会产生哪些心理或躯体症状？我们应该如何应对？

写一段对话，模拟在医院向医生描述某种突发症状的过程。

讨论一下，为什么有些人即使出现了严重症状也不愿意去医院？

在你的文化中，人们是如何看待和描述常见病症（如感冒）的症状的？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, this is very natural. It means 'I have symptoms of a cold.' It's better than just saying 'I have a cold' if you want to be more descriptive.

病 is the disease (e.g., the flu), while 症状 are the individual indicators (e.g., fever, cough). You 'have' a 病, and you 'experience' 症状.

Yes, it is used for both physical and mental health. For example, '抑郁症的症状' (symptoms of depression).

The term is '无症状' (wú zhèngzhuàng), which literally translates to 'no symptoms.'

Usually, no. For machines, we use '故障' (gùzhàng - fault/malfunction). Using 症状 for a machine would be a metaphor.

The most common measure word is '种' (zhǒng) for types of symptoms, or '个' (gè) for individual symptoms.

They are very similar, but 症状 is much more common in modern Mandarin. 病状 sounds a bit more formal or old-fashioned.

No, it is strictly a noun. You must use it with verbs like 出现 (appear) or 表现 (show).

The standard phrase is '缓解症状' (huǎnjiě zhèngzhuàng).

Yes, as a metaphor for problems within a company or economy. For example, '销售下降是管理问题的症状' (Falling sales are a symptom of management problems).

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Write a sentence in Chinese: 'The symptoms of a cold include a cough.'

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

Uses [Disease] + 的 + 症状 + 包括 + [Symptom].