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生命体征

B1 noun 9 min read

生命体征

shēng mìng tǐ zhēng

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 生命体征 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 生命体征 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '生命体征' (shēngmìng tǐzhēng) is a very advanced word. You don't need to know it to survive daily life in China. However, you can understand it by looking at its parts. '生命' (shēngmìng) means 'life.' You might know '医生' (yīshēng - doctor) or '医院' (yīyuàn - hospital). If you go to a hospital, a doctor might check your body. This word is just a very fancy way of saying 'the things that show you are alive,' like your heart beating or your breathing. At this level, just remember that '生命' is life, and if you see this long word in a hospital, it means the doctor is checking if you are okay. You don't need to use it yourself yet! Just focus on words like '身体' (shēntǐ - body) and '好' (hǎo - good). If you see it on a machine in a hospital, now you know it's looking at your heart and breath. It's like a 'life check.'

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about health and going to the doctor. '生命体征' is a formal term for 'vital signs.' When you go for a check-up, the nurse might measure your '体温' (tǐwēn - temperature) or '血压' (xuèyā - blood pressure). All these things together are called '生命体征.' You might hear this word on the news or in a TV show about doctors. A common sentence you might understand is '他的生命体征很正常' (His vital signs are very normal). This means he is healthy and not in danger. You can think of it as 'life' (生命) plus 'body signs' (体征). Even though it's a big word, it's very useful if you ever need to understand a medical report or a news story about someone being rescued. It's more professional than just saying 'he is alive.'

As a B1 learner, you should be able to recognize and use '生命体征' in appropriate contexts, especially in formal or medical situations. This term is the standard way to refer to vital signs: temperature, pulse, respiration, and blood pressure. You should know common verbs that go with it, such as '监测' (jiāncè - to monitor) and '测量' (cèliáng - to measure). For example, '护士正在监测病人的生命体征' (The nurse is monitoring the patient's vital signs). You should also understand that this is an objective term. If you are describing an emergency, you might say '伤者生命体征平稳' (The injured person's vital signs are stable). This level requires you to distinguish between '生命体征' (objective signs) and '症状' (subjective symptoms like pain or dizziness). It's a key word for discussing health technology, like what a smartwatch does.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '生命体征' in technical discussions, news summaries, and formal writing. You should understand the nuances of its usage in different fields. For instance, in a medical context, it refers to the 'big four' indicators, but in a search-and-rescue context, it refers to any evidence of life in a survivor. You should be able to use complex adjectives with it, such as '趋于平稳' (tending towards stable) or '出现波动' (showing fluctuations). You might write a report saying, '由于病人的生命体征出现波动，医生决定增加观察频率' (Due to fluctuations in the patient's vital signs, the doctor decided to increase the frequency of observation). You should also be aware of related terms like '生理指标' (physiological indicators) and know when '生命体征' is the more precise choice. It's about using the right register—professional and clinical.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep understanding of '生命体征' and its implications in various professional discourses. This includes medical ethics, health policy, and advanced biomedical technology. You should be able to discuss the importance of continuous monitoring of '生命体征' in ICU settings or the legal definitions of life based on these signs. You might encounter this term in academic papers or high-level medical journals. For example, '该项研究探讨了生命体征监测系统在远程医疗中的应用' (This study explores the application of vital signs monitoring systems in telemedicine). You should also be able to use the term metaphorically in sophisticated commentary, though sparingly. Your mastery should include knowing the historical development of the term and how it contrasts with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) concepts of life indicators like '脉象' (pulse patterns).

At the C2 level, '生命体征' is a word you use with total precision and native-like fluency. You understand its role within the broader framework of clinical diagnostics and forensic science. You can engage in complex debates about the 'fifth vital sign' (often considered pain or pulse oximetry) and use the term '生命体征' to anchor these discussions. You can interpret highly technical medical data and summarize it using this term for different audiences—from explaining a patient's status to a family member to writing a peer-reviewed article. You are also aware of the subtle linguistic shifts in how the term is used in different Chinese-speaking regions (Mainland China vs. Taiwan vs. Hong Kong). Your usage reflects an understanding of the gravity the word carries in life-and-death situations, and you can use it to convey both high-stakes urgency and calm professional assessment.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

生命体征 in 30 Seconds

生命体征 (shēngmìng tǐzhēng) is the formal Chinese term for 'vital signs,' covering temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure.
It is primarily used in medical, emergency, and technological contexts to describe objective evidence of life and health status.
Commonly paired with verbs like 'monitor' (监测) and adjectives like 'stable' (平稳) or 'abnormal' (异常).
Learners should distinguish it from 'symptoms' (subjective) and avoid using it in casual social conversations where 'health' is better.

The term 生命体征 (shēngmìng tǐzhēng) is a critical medical and physiological compound noun in Chinese that translates directly to 'vital signs.' In a clinical or emergency context, it refers to the primary indicators of a person's basic biological functions. These typically include body temperature (体温), pulse (脉搏), respiration rate (呼吸频率), and blood pressure (血压). Understanding this term is essential for anyone navigating the healthcare system in a Chinese-speaking environment, as it is the first thing medical professionals assess to determine a patient's immediate health status.

Clinical Definition: In medical science, it is the collective name for the four major indicators used to evaluate the survival status and quality of life of a person. If these signs are absent or severely abnormal, the individual is in immediate life-threatening danger.
Everyday Contexts: While primarily a medical term, you will also encounter it in news reports concerning natural disasters (e.g., 'the trapped person still shows vital signs'), sports science (monitoring athletes), and even in the tech world with the rise of smartwatches that track heart rate and oxygen levels.
Linguistic Breakdown: '生命' (shēngmìng) means 'life,' and '体征' (tǐzhēng) means 'physical signs' or 'clinical signs.' Together, they form a formal, objective term used to describe the most fundamental evidence of being alive.

医生，病人的生命体征现在还平稳吗？ (Doctor, are the patient's vital signs stable now?)

When you hear this word, it usually implies a level of professional observation. For example, a nurse doesn't just 'look' at you; they 'monitor' (监测) your 生命体征. This distinction is important because it shifts the conversation from subjective feelings (symptoms) to objective measurements (signs). If a patient says 'I feel hot,' that is a symptom (症状); if the thermometer reads 39°C, that is a measurement of a vital sign (生命体征).

救援队在废墟下发现了微弱的生命体征。 (The rescue team found weak vital signs under the ruins.)

In a broader sense, the term can be used metaphorically in literature or high-level journalism to describe the 'signs of life' in an economy or a dying organization, though this is less common than its literal medical usage. In most cases, stick to the biological meaning. The word carries a sense of gravity and precision, often associated with emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICU), and health check-ups.

Key Verbs: Commonly paired with '监测' (jiāncè - monitor), '测量' (cèliáng - measure), '观察' (guānchá - observe), and '平稳' (píngwěn - stable).

Using 生命体征 correctly requires understanding its role as a formal noun. It usually functions as the object of a verb or the subject of a descriptive state. Because it refers to a set of data, it is frequently used with adjectives that describe stability or instability. Let's explore the structural patterns that will help you sound natural and professional when using this term.

Pattern 1: Monitoring and Measuring: The most common usage involves healthcare professionals performing an action. [Subject] + [监测/测量] + [生命体征].
Example: 护士每隔一小时监测一次病人的生命体征。 (The nurse monitors the patient's vital signs every hour.)
Pattern 2: Describing Status: When describing the condition of a patient. [生命体征] + [平稳/正常/异常/微弱].
Example: 经过抢救，伤者的生命体征已经趋于平稳。 (After rescue efforts, the injured person's vital signs have become stable.)

这台机器可以实时显示你的生命体征数据。 (This machine can display your vital signs data in real-time.)

Note the use of '实时' (shíshí - real-time) and '数据' (shùjù - data) in the example above. Since vital signs are measurable, they are often linked to technological and numerical contexts. If you are developing a health app or writing a technical manual, you would use this term to describe the biometric data collected by sensors.

In emergency reporting, '生命体征' is often paired with '消失' (xiāoshī - disappear) or '微弱' (wēiruò - weak). These collocations are standard in news broadcasts and police reports. For instance, '当救护车到达时，他已经失去了生命体征' (By the time the ambulance arrived, he had already lost his vital signs/had no signs of life).

如果生命体征出现异常，警报器会自动响起。 (If vital signs become abnormal, the alarm will sound automatically.)

Finally, consider the register. This is a formal term. In a casual conversation with a friend about being tired, you would say '我身体不太舒服' (I don't feel well), not '我的生命体征有问题' (There is a problem with my vital signs). Reserve '生命体征' for professional, medical, or life-and-death scenarios to avoid sounding overly clinical or robotic in social settings.

While '生命体征' might seem like a term reserved for doctors, it permeates modern Chinese life in several specific domains. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word in the wild and understand the gravity of the situation being described.

1. The Medical Environment: This is the primary home of the word. In hospitals (医院), clinics (诊所), and emergency rooms (急诊室), you will hear nurses calling out '生命体征平稳' to reassure doctors. It is also found on medical charts and digital monitors next to hospital beds.
2. News and Media Reports: Whenever there is a report on a major accident, earthquake, or rescue mission, the term is used to provide updates on survivors. News anchors will say, '目前幸存者生命体征稳定' (Currently, the survivors' vital signs are stable). It provides an objective, professional tone to serious news.
3. Wearable Technology and Apps: With the popularity of Huawei, Xiaomi, and Apple smartwatches in China, consumers are now 'monitoring their own vital signs.' Marketing materials for these devices frequently use '生命体征监测' (vital signs monitoring) as a key selling point, referring to heart rate and blood oxygen tracking.

新闻报道：救援人员正在全力搜寻任何可能的生命体征。 (News report: Rescue workers are doing their best to search for any possible signs of life.)

In television dramas (especially medical dramas like '急诊科医生'), the term is used to build tension. You might hear a dramatic '生命体征正在下降!' (Vital signs are dropping!), which is the cue for the medical team to start CPR or other emergency procedures. In these settings, the word acts as a linguistic shorthand for the patient's grip on life.

这款智能手表可以全天候监控您的生命体征。 (This smartwatch can monitor your vital signs 24/7.)

Finally, you may encounter it in legal or forensic contexts. When a coroner or police officer describes a scene, they use '生命体征' to formally state whether a person was alive at a certain time. This formal usage underscores the word's status as a precise, technical term that leaves little room for ambiguity.

Even though '生命体征' is a straightforward medical term, learners often make specific errors in its usage, register, and distinction from similar words. Avoiding these will help you communicate more accurately in professional settings.

Mistake 1: Confusing '体征' (Signs) with '特征' (Characteristics): '特征' (tèzhēng) refers to features like height, hair color, or a scar. '体征' (tǐzhēng) refers specifically to clinical, measurable signs of life. You cannot say '他的生命特征是心跳' (His life characteristic is a heartbeat); it must be '生命体征'.
Mistake 2: Overusing it in Casual Conversation: As mentioned before, this is a formal term. If you tell a friend '我的生命体征很正常' (My vital signs are normal) just to say you're feeling okay, it sounds like you are reading from a medical textbook. Use '身体状况' (health condition) instead.

错误用法：他的生命特征是黑头发。 (Wrong: His life characteristic is black hair.)
正确用法：他的生命体征非常稳定。 (Correct: His vital signs are very stable.)

Another mistake is the incorrect use of verbs. You 'measure' (测量) or 'monitor' (监测) vital signs. You do not 'do' (做) or 'have' (有) vital signs in the same way you 'have' a cold. While you can say '有生命体征' (to have vital signs/be alive), it is more common to say '生命体征平稳' (vital signs are stable) to describe health.

Mistake 3: Incorrect Negation: To say someone has died, people often use the phrase '失去生命体征' (lost vital signs). Using a simple '没有' (doesn't have) is grammatically possible but lacks the professional weight used in medical reports.

注意：不要把“生命体征”和“生命迹象”混淆。虽然意思接近，但前者更专业。 (Note: Don't confuse 'vital signs' with 'signs of life'. While similar, the former is more professional.)

Lastly, ensure you don't apply '生命体征' to inanimate objects. You can't talk about the 'vital signs' of a broken computer or a project unless you are being highly metaphorical. It is strictly a biological term for living organisms.

To truly master '生命体征', you should know the words that surround it. Depending on whether you are in a lab, a hospital, or a gym, different terms might be more appropriate. Here is a comparison of synonyms and related terms.

1. 生理指标 (shēnglǐ zhǐbiāo) - Physiological Indicators: This is a broader term. While '生命体征' refers to the big four (pulse, temp, etc.), '生理指标' can include blood sugar, cholesterol, and hormone levels. It is used more in long-term health monitoring and research.
2. 生命迹象 (shēngmìng jìxiàng) - Signs of Life: This is less clinical and more descriptive. It's often used in search and rescue. If a dog barks under the rubble, that is a '生命迹象', but it isn't a '生命体征' until a doctor measures its pulse.
3. 健康状况 (jiànkāng zhuàngkuàng) - Health Status: This is the general term for how someone is feeling or their overall health. It is much more common in daily life. '你最近健康状况怎么样？' (How is your health lately?)

虽然他的生命体征稳定，但整体生理指标仍需改善。 (Although his vital signs are stable, his overall physiological indicators still need improvement.)

In a fitness context, you might hear '体能数据' (tǐnéng shùjù - physical performance data). This focuses on things like VO2 max or calories burned, which are related to but distinct from the core vital signs. Using the right term shows your level of expertise in the subject matter.

When writing, if you want to sound more literary, you might use '气息' (qìxī - breath/aura of life), but in any professional or semi-professional setting, '生命体征' remains the gold standard for describing the fundamental signs of survival. It is a precise, unambiguous term that commands respect and attention.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '征' (zhēng) in ancient times referred to a long journey or a military expedition, later evolving to mean an 'omen' or 'sign' of something coming.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃəŋ miŋ ti dʒəŋ/

US /ʃəŋ miŋ ti dʒəŋ/

Primary stress on 'shēng' and 'tǐ', as they start the two main components of the compound.

Rhymes With

生 (shēng) rhymes with 灯 (dēng) 命 (mìng) rhymes with 定 (dìng) 体 (tǐ) rhymes with 米 (mǐ) 征 (zhēng) rhymes with 正 (zhèng - though tones differ) 名 (míng) 情 (qíng) 平 (píng) 清 (qīng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zhēng' as 'zēng' (forgetting the retroflex).
Misplacing the tone on 'mìng' (should be 4th tone).
Confusing 'tǐ' (3rd tone) with 'tí' (2nd tone).
Blending 'shēng' and 'mìng' into one slurred sound.
Pronouncing 'zhēng' with a short vowel instead of a long, clear one.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Requires knowledge of medical terminology but the characters are common.

Writing 4/5

The character '征' can be tricky to remember for beginners.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward if tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and hospital settings; easy to recognize once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

生命身体医生正常检查

Learn Next

体温血压脉搏呼吸诊断

Advanced

生理指标内环境稳态临床表现预后评估代谢率

Grammar to Know

Noun Compounds

生命 + 体征 = Vital Signs

Adjective-Noun Predicates

生命体征 + 平稳 (No '是' needed)

Formal Negation

失去 + 生命体征

Resultative Complements

恢复 + 正常

Prepositional Phrases

在...下 (Under the condition of...)

Examples by Level

医生看我的生命体征。

The doctor looks at my vital signs.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

生命体征好吗？

Are the vital signs good?

Using '吗' to form a simple question.

他有生命体征。

He has vital signs (He is alive).

Using '有' to indicate existence.

护士看生命体征。

The nurse looks at vital signs.

Basic professional context.

这是生命体征。

These are vital signs.

Demonstrative pronoun '这'.

生命体征正常。

Vital signs are normal.

Noun + Adjective (no '是' needed).

我不懂生命体征。

I don't understand vital signs.

Negation with '不'.

生命体征很重要。

Vital signs are very important.

Using '很' to intensify the adjective.

护士在量他的生命体征。

The nurse is measuring his vital signs.

Using '在' for continuous action.

他的生命体征很稳定。

His vital signs are very stable.

Stable (稳定) is a key collocation.

我们要检查生命体征。

We need to check the vital signs.

Using '要' for necessity.

这个机器可以显示生命体征。

This machine can display vital signs.

Using '可以' for capability.

病人没有生命体征了。

The patient has no vital signs anymore.

The '了' indicates a change in state.

生命体征包括体温和血压。

Vital signs include temperature and blood pressure.

Using '包括' (include) to list components.

请记录下生命体征。

Please record the vital signs.

Polite request with '请'.

医生在看生命体征的数据。

The doctor is looking at the vital signs data.

Possessive '的' connecting noun phrases.

护士每小时都会监测病人的生命体征。

The nurse monitors the patient's vital signs every hour.

Use of '每...都' for regularity.

如果生命体征异常，请立刻通知我。

If the vital signs are abnormal, please notify me immediately.

Conditional '如果...请' structure.

手术后，他的生命体征趋于平稳。

After the surgery, his vital signs tended toward stability.

Using '趋于' to show a trend.

这款运动手表能实时追踪你的生命体征。

This sports watch can track your vital signs in real-time.

Real-time (实时) as an adverbial.

救援人员在废墟下发现了微弱的生命体征。

Rescue workers found weak vital signs under the rubble.

Adjective '微弱' (weak) modifying the noun.

我们需要评估病人的整体生命体征。

We need to evaluate the patient's overall vital signs.

Formal verb '评估' (evaluate).

他的生命体征已经恢复正常了。

His vital signs have already returned to normal.

Resultative complement '恢复正常'.

在急救过程中，观察生命体征至关重要。

During the first aid process, observing vital signs is crucial.

Structure '...至关重要' (is of vital importance).

医生通过生命体征的变化来判断病情。

The doctor judges the condition based on changes in vital signs.

Using '通过...来' to show method.

该系统能够自动分析多项生命体征数据。

The system can automatically analyze multiple vital signs data.

Formal auxiliary '能够' and adverb '自动'.

尽管伤势严重，但他的生命体征依然存在。

Despite the serious injuries, his vital signs still exist.

Concessive '尽管...但...依然'.

由于生命体征不稳定，病人被送入了重症监护室。

Due to unstable vital signs, the patient was admitted to the ICU.

Causal '由于' and passive '被' construction.

我们需要密切关注生命体征的任何微小波动。

We need to pay close attention to any minor fluctuations in vital signs.

Adverb '密切' (closely) and noun '波动' (fluctuation).

生命体征的测量是临床护理中最基本的环节。

The measurement of vital signs is the most basic link in clinical nursing.

Superlative '最' and formal noun '环节' (link/part).

病人入院时，生命体征处于极其危险的状态。

When the patient was admitted, their vital signs were in an extremely dangerous state.

Using '处于...状态' to describe a situation.

这些传感器可以捕捉到最细微的生命体征信息。

These sensors can capture the most subtle vital signs information.

Verb '捕捉' (capture) used in a technical sense.

持续的生命体征监测对于围手术期管理至关重要。

Continuous vital signs monitoring is crucial for perioperative management.

Technical term '围手术期' (perioperative period).

该药物对患者生命体征的影响尚需进一步观察。

The impact of this drug on the patient's vital signs still requires further observation.

Formal structure '尚需' (still needs).

生命体征的消失通常被视为临床死亡的标志。

The disappearance of vital signs is usually regarded as a sign of clinical death.

Passive-like structure '被视为' (be regarded as).

远程医疗技术使得实时监控偏远地区患者的生命体征成为可能。

Telemedicine technology has made it possible to monitor patients' vital signs in remote areas in real-time.

Structure '使得...成为可能'.

在极端环境下，维持生命体征的稳定是首要任务。

In extreme environments, maintaining the stability of vital signs is the primary task.

Noun phrase '首要任务' (primary task).

生理心理学研究表明，情绪波动会直接反映在生命体征上。

Biopsychological research shows that emotional fluctuations are directly reflected in vital signs.

Verb '反映' (reflect) with the preposition '在...上'.

通过大数据分析，我们可以预测生命体征的异常趋势。

Through big data analysis, we can predict abnormal trends in vital signs.

Compound noun '大数据分析'.

法律上对“死亡”的界定往往依赖于生命体征的彻底消失。

The legal definition of 'death' often relies on the complete disappearance of vital signs.

Formal verb '依赖于' (rely on).

鉴于患者生命体征的复杂波动，必须采取多学科会诊。

Given the complex fluctuations in the patient's vital signs, a multidisciplinary consultation must be conducted.

Formal conjunction '鉴于' (given that).

生命体征的动态平衡是生物体维持内环境稳态的核心体现。

The dynamic equilibrium of vital signs is a core manifestation of an organism's maintenance of homeostatic stability.

Highly academic terms like '内环境稳态' (homeostasis).

在深度昏迷状态下，生命体征的微弱波动往往是评估预后的关键依据。

In a state of deep coma, faint fluctuations in vital signs are often key evidence for assessing prognosis.

Medical term '预后' (prognosis).

非侵入性生命体征采集技术的发展极大地提高了患者的舒适度。

The development of non-invasive vital signs collection technology has greatly improved patient comfort.

Technical term '非侵入性' (non-invasive).

生命体征监测不仅是医学手段，更是对个体生命尊严的最后守护。

Vital signs monitoring is not just a medical means, but also the final safeguard of individual life dignity.

Philosophical structure '不仅是...更是...'.

该算法通过对海量生命体征数据的深度学习，实现了早期预警。

The algorithm achieved early warning through deep learning of massive vital signs data.

Tech-medical jargon '深度学习' and '海量数据'.

在伦理学层面，如何解读脑死亡状态下的生命体征仍存争议。

At the ethical level, how to interpret vital signs in a state of brain death remains controversial.

Formal phrase '仍存争议' (remains controversial).

这种罕见病症会导致生命体征呈现出一种极不规律的周期性变化。

This rare condition causes vital signs to exhibit an extremely irregular periodic change.

Using '呈现出' to describe a manifestation.

Synonyms

生理指标生命迹象生命信号健康参数体征生理参数基本体征生命数据

Antonyms

死亡迹象尸体特征非生命特征病理特征

Common Collocations

生命体征平稳

监测生命体征

失去生命体征

生命体征异常

测量生命体征

生命体征数据

维持生命体征

微弱的生命体征

生命体征监测仪

生命体征波动

Common Phrases

检查生命体征

— To check vital signs. Common in first aid.

第一步是检查伤者的生命体征。

实时生命体征

— Real-time vital signs. Common in tech marketing.

这款设备提供实时生命体征监控。

基本生命体征

— Basic vital signs. Emphasizes the core indicators.

我们要确保他的基本生命体征正常。

生命体征正常值

— Normal range of vital signs. Used in health education.

你知道生命体征的正常值是多少吗？

观察生命体征

— To observe vital signs. Used in nursing.

护士需要密切观察生命体征。

生命体征记录单

— Vital signs record sheet. A hospital document.

请把数据填在生命体征记录单上。

生命体征评估

— Vital signs assessment. A formal medical process.

医生正在进行生命体征评估。

生命体征消失

— Disappearance of vital signs. Euphemism for death.

当医生到达时，他的生命体征已经消失。

生命体征指标

— Vital sign indicators. Technical term for the measurements.

生命体征指标是判断健康的基础。

全天候生命体征监测

— 24/7 vital signs monitoring. Common in smart home care.

老人需要全天候生命体征监测。

Often Confused With

生命体征 vs 生命特征

Features of life vs. vital signs. Characteristics vs. clinical data.

生命体征 vs 生理指标

Physiological indicators (broader) vs. vital signs (core).

生命体征 vs 生命迹象

Signs of life (general/descriptive) vs. vital signs (clinical/measured).

Idioms & Expressions

"命悬一线"

— Life hanging by a thread. Used when vital signs are extremely weak.

他现在命悬一线，生命体征极其不稳定。

Literary

"死里逃生"

— To escape from death. Used when vital signs return after a crisis.

他在生命体征消失后又死里逃生了。

Common

"起死回生"

— To bring back to life. Used for successful resuscitation.

医生的抢救让他起死回生，生命体征恢复了。

Formal

"奄奄一息"

— On one's last breath. Describes very weak vital signs.

他躺在那里奄奄一息，生命体征微弱。

Literary

"生机勃勃"

— Full of vitality. The opposite of having weak vital signs.

这个孩子生命体征强劲，看起来生机勃勃。

General

"回天乏术"

— Powerless to save the situation. Used when vital signs cannot be restored.

虽然医生尽力了，但依然回天乏术，生命体征最终消失。

Formal

"不省人事"

— To be unconscious. Often accompanied by abnormal vital signs.

他虽然不省人事，但生命体征还算稳定。

General

"九死一生"

— A narrow escape from death. Used in extreme survival stories.

他在生命体征几乎消失的情况下九死一生。

Common

"死而复生"

— To come back from the dead. Similar to clinical resuscitation.

这简直是死而复生，他的生命体征竟然回来了。

Common

"气若游丝"

— Breath as thin as silk. Describes extremely weak respiration.

老人现在气若游丝，生命体征很不乐观。

Literary

Easily Confused

生命体征 vs 症状

Both relate to health.

Symptoms are subjective (what the patient feels); Vital signs are objective (what the doctor measures).

头痛是症状，而血压高是生命体征异常。

生命体征 vs 特征

Similar sounding to '体征'.

Characteristics (physical features) vs. clinical signs.

长头发是他的特征，不是生命体征。

生命体征 vs 指标

Both are measurements.

Indicators can be any data (economic, chemical); Vital signs are specifically for life functions.

血糖是一个生理指标，而呼吸是生命体征。

生命体征 vs 信号

Both imply information.

Signals are general; Vital signs are a specific medical set.

手机信号很强，但病人的生命体征很弱。

生命体征 vs 迹象

Both mean 'signs'.

Traces/clues vs. formal clinical measurements.

地上有生活的迹象，但没有发现生命体征。

Sentence Patterns

他的生命体征[Adjective]。

他的生命体征很好。

护士正在[Verb]病人的生命体征。

护士正在测量病人的生命体征。

如果生命体征[Adjective]，就[Action]。

如果生命体征异常，就打电话给医生。

生命体征已经[Verb]了。

生命体征已经恢复正常了。

通过监测生命体征，我们可以[Result]。

通过监测生命体征，我们可以了解他的健康状况。

生命体征的[Noun]对于[Context]非常重要。

生命体征的稳定性对于手术成功非常重要。

由于[Reason]，生命体征出现了[Noun]。

由于失血过多，生命体征出现了剧烈波动。

鉴于生命体征的[Adjective]表现，[Decision]。

鉴于生命体征的微弱表现，我们决定继续抢救。

Word Family

Nouns

生命 (Life)

体征 (Physical signs)

特征 (Characteristics)

迹象 (Signs/Traces)

指标 (Indicators)

Verbs

生活 (To live)

生存 (To survive)

征服 (To conquer - different 'zhēng')

象征 (To symbolize)

Adjectives

生动的 (Lively)

体贴的 (Considerate)

正常的 (Normal)

稳定的 (Stable)

体温 (Temperature)

脉搏 (Pulse)

呼吸 (Respiration)

血压 (Blood pressure)

心率 (Heart rate)

How to Use It

frequency

High in medical and news domains; Low in social domains.

Common Mistakes

我的生命体征很好。 → 我身体很好。
Using '生命体征' in casual talk sounds like you are a robot.
他的生命特征不正常。 → 他的生命体征不正常。
Confusing '特征' (features) with '体征' (signs).
做生命体征测量。 → 进行生命体征测量。
'做' is too informal; '进行' or just '测量' is better.
一个生命体征。 → 一项生命体征。
The correct measure word for a specific sign is '项'.
生命体征消失了了。 → 生命体征消失了。
Double '了' is unnecessary here.

Tips

Professionalism

Use this word when writing formal health reports to sound more authoritative and precise.

No measure word needed

Don't use '一个' before '生命体征'. It's treated as a collective noun.

Common Verbs

Pair it with '监测' (monitor) for the best natural-sounding Chinese.

News Listening

When you hear this on the news, pay attention to '平稳'—it's usually good news!

Tone Mastery

Practice the 1-4-3-1 tone sequence of 'shēng-mìng-tǐ-zhēng' to avoid confusion.

Hospital Etiquette

If asking a doctor about a relative, '生命体征平稳吗？' is a very respectful and clear question.

Character Tip

Remember '征' has the 'step' radical on the left. Think of it as a 'step' towards diagnosis.

Gadget Talk

Use '生命体征监测' when describing what your fitness tracker does.

Avoid Characteristic

Never use '生命特征' for vital signs; it's a common mistake even for some natives!

First Aid

In an emergency, checking '生命体征' is the top priority.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of '生命' (Life) + '体' (Body) + '征' (Sign). It's the 'Signs of a Living Body.'

Visual Association

Imagine a hospital monitor with four lines: temperature, pulse, breathing, and blood pressure. Label that whole monitor '生命体征'.

Word Web

生命 (Life) 体 (Body) 征 (Sign) 医生 (Doctor) 医院 (Hospital) 健康 (Health) 稳定 (Stable) 正常 (Normal)

Challenge

Try to name the four main '生命体征' in Chinese: 体温, 脉搏, 呼吸, 血压.

Word Origin

The term is a modern medical compound. '生命' (shēngmìng) has roots in ancient Chinese meaning 'life and command/destiny.' '体征' (tǐzhēng) is a 20th-century translation of the medical concept of 'signs.'

Original meaning: The fundamental signs that the body is functioning.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this term with family members of a patient; it can sound very cold and clinical if not paired with empathetic language.

Directly equivalent to 'vital signs'.

Used in Chinese translations of 'Grey's Anatomy' (实习医生格蕾). Commonly found in news reports from the Xinhua News Agency regarding disaster relief. Key term in the Chinese National Health Commission's guidelines.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital Admission

登记生命体征
生命体征正常
询问病史
测量身高体重

Emergency Room

抢救生命体征
生命体征微弱
建立静脉通道
观察瞳孔

Tech Review

传感器精度
生命体征追踪
电池续航
健康提醒

News Report

搜救行动
生命体征平稳
伤者人数
紧急送医

Fitness Training

运动心率
生命体征变化
恢复时间
训练强度

Conversation Starters

"你觉得现在的智能手表测量生命体征准吗？"

"如果在路边看到有人晕倒，你会先检查他的生命体征吗？"

"你了解生命体征的正常范围吗？"

"你在医院里见过生命体征监测仪吗？"

"你认为生命体征监测对老年人重要吗？"

Journal Prompts

写一段话描述你在医院看到护士监测生命体征的过程。

如果你有一款可以预测疾病的生命体征监测器，你会想知道什么？

讨论一下为什么在急救中生命体征比患者的姓名更重要。

描述一次你感到心跳加快或呼吸困难的经历，用生命体征这个词。

谈谈科技如何改变了我们观察自己生命体征的方式。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

They are body temperature (体温), pulse (脉搏), respiration rate (呼吸), and blood pressure (血压). Some also include blood oxygen (血氧).

Yes, it is a biological term and applies to animals in a veterinary context as well.

Rarely. It's usually too formal. Use '身体情况' (health situation) or '感觉' (feel) instead.

It means the patient's vital signs are within normal ranges and not changing dangerously. They are out of immediate danger.

The common phrase is '失去生命体征' (shīqù shēngmìng tǐzhēng).

In hospitals, doctors sometimes just say '体征' (tǐzhēng) to save time.

In Chinese, the form doesn't change, but it usually refers to the whole set. To refer to one, say '一项生命体征'.

Not traditionally. TCM uses different terms, but modern TCM hospitals use '生命体征' alongside traditional methods.

It is a vital signs monitor, the machine you see next to hospital beds showing heart rate and other data.

'征' implies a physical manifestation or clinical sign, whereas '号' is more like a signal or number.