When you're talking about health, you'll hear the word 维生素 often. It means 'vitamin'. Think about how important vitamins are for your body; 维生素 are the same in Chinese culture and conversation.
You can use it when you're talking about eating healthy food or taking supplements. For example, if someone asks what helps you stay healthy, you might say 维生素. It's a very practical word to know for everyday health discussions.
Vitamins are essential nutrients that our bodies need in small amounts to function properly. They play a crucial role in maintaining good health, supporting growth, and preventing diseases. Since our bodies cannot produce most vitamins on their own, we must obtain them through our diet or supplements. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a great way to ensure you're getting a variety of vitamins. If you're concerned about your vitamin intake, consulting a healthcare professional can help determine if supplements are right for you.
§ What does 维生素 mean?
Alright, let's talk about 维生素 (wéishēngsù). This Chinese word simply means "vitamin." You know, those essential organic compounds our bodies need in small amounts for normal growth and metabolism. Just like in English, there are different types of vitamins, and 维生素 is the general term for all of them.
When do people use it? Pretty much anytime you'd talk about vitamins in English. If you're discussing nutrition, health supplements, a balanced diet, or even someone feeling a bit under the weather and needing some extra nutrients, 维生素 is your go-to word. It's a very common and practical word to know, especially if you're interested in health and wellness in China.
You'll often hear it in conversations about food, medicine, and even cosmetics. For example, some skin creams might boast about containing certain 维生素 for healthy skin. Or, a doctor might recommend taking 维生素 supplements. It's a versatile word that pops up in many daily contexts.
§ Basic Usage
The most common way to use 维生素 is as a noun on its own, or by specifying the type of vitamin. For example, just like you say "vitamin C" in English, you'll say "维生素C" (wéishēngsù C) in Chinese. Super straightforward, right?
- DEFINITION
- This is the general term for "vitamin."
我每天都吃多维生素片。(Wǒ měitiān dōu chī duō wéishēngsù piàn.)
Translation hint: I take multivitamin pills every day.
- DEFINITION
- To specifically refer to Vitamin C.
多吃水果可以补充维生素C。(Duō chī shuǐguǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng wéishēngsù C.)
Translation hint: Eating more fruit can supplement vitamin C.
§ Common phrases with 维生素
You'll often find 维生素 paired with other words to form common phrases. Here are a few practical ones you should know:
维生素片 (wéishēngsù piàn): This means "vitamin pills" or "vitamin tablets." Very useful if you're talking about supplements.
我每天早上吃一片维生素片。(Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang chī yī piàn wéishēngsù piàn.)
Translation hint: I take a vitamin pill every morning.
补充维生素 (bǔchōng wéishēngsù): This phrase means "to supplement vitamins" or "to replenish vitamins." You'll hear this a lot when people discuss adding nutrients to their diet.
医生建议我多吃蔬菜水果，补充维生素。(Yīshēng jiànyì wǒ duō chī shūcài shuǐguǒ, bǔchōng wéishēngsù.)
Translation hint: The doctor advised me to eat more vegetables and fruits to supplement vitamins.
含有维生素 (hányǒu wéishēngsù): This translates to "contains vitamins." You'll often see this on food labels or product descriptions.
这种果汁含有维生素C。(Zhè zhǒng guǒzhī hányǒu wéishēngsù C.)
Translation hint: This juice contains vitamin C.
缺乏维生素 (quēfá wéishēngsù): This means "vitamin deficiency." An important phrase for discussing health issues.
他因为缺乏维生素而感到疲倦。(Tā yīnwèi quēfá wéishēngsù ér gǎndào píjuàn.)
Translation hint: He felt tired due to vitamin deficiency.
§ Important things to remember
When using 维生素, remember that the structure is usually quite similar to how you'd use "vitamin" in English. The key is to get comfortable with the pronunciation and recognize it in spoken and written Chinese. Don't overthink it; it's a very direct translation. Just like in English, when you talk about specific vitamins, the letter often follows directly after 维生素, like 维生素A, 维生素B, etc.
Examples by Level
你需要补充维生素C吗？
Do you need to supplement vitamin C?
补充 (bǔchōng) means 'to supplement'.
水果富含维生素和矿物质。
Fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals.
富含 (fùhán) means 'rich in'; 矿物质 (kuàngwùzhì) means 'minerals'.
这种药片含有多种维生素。
This pill contains multiple vitamins.
药片 (yàopiàn) means 'pill'; 含有 (hányǒu) means 'to contain'.
缺乏维生素会导致一些健康问题。
Lack of vitamins can lead to some health problems.
缺乏 (quēfá) means 'to lack'; 导致 (dǎozhì) means 'to lead to'; 健康问题 (jiànkāng wèntí) means 'health problems'.
阳光有助于身体产生维生素D。
Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D.
有助于 (yǒuzhùyú) means 'to be beneficial to'; 产生 (chǎnshēng) means 'to produce'.
蔬菜和全谷物是维生素B的良好来源。
Vegetables and whole grains are good sources of vitamin B.
全谷物 (quángǔwù) means 'whole grains'; 良好来源 (liánghǎo láiyuán) means 'good source'.
许多人选择服用维生素补充剂。
Many people choose to take vitamin supplements.
服用 (fúyòng) means 'to take (medicine)'; 补充剂 (bǔchōngjì) means 'supplement'.
确保你的饮食中含有足够的维生素。
Make sure your diet contains enough vitamins.
确保 (quèbǎo) means 'to ensure'; 饮食 (yǐnshí) means 'diet'; 足够 (zúgòu) means 'enough'.
我们需要补充维生素C。
We need to supplement vitamin C.
这种水果富含多种维生素。
This fruit is rich in many vitamins.
医生建议他每天服用维生素D。
The doctor advised him to take vitamin D daily.
缺乏维生素会导致一些健康问题。
Lack of vitamins can lead to some health problems.
这种食物没有太多维生素。
This food doesn't have many vitamins.
请确保你的饮食中有足够的维生素。
Please make sure your diet has enough vitamins.
维生素对维持身体健康很重要。
Vitamins are important for maintaining good health.
多吃蔬菜和水果可以摄取天然维生素。
Eating more vegetables and fruits can provide natural vitamins.
我们需要从食物中摄取各种维生素来保持身体健康。
We need to get various vitamins from food to maintain good health.
摄取 (shèqǔ) means to absorb or take in.
多吃水果和蔬菜可以补充维生素C。
Eating more fruits and vegetables can supplement vitamin C.
补充 (bǔchōng) means to supplement or replenish.
这种药片富含多种维生素和矿物质。
This tablet is rich in multiple vitamins and minerals.
富含 (fùhán) means rich in.
医生建议她服用维生素D以促进钙吸收。
The doctor advised her to take vitamin D to promote calcium absorption.
促进 (cùjìn) means to promote or facilitate.
缺乏某种维生素可能导致一些健康问题。
Lack of a certain vitamin may lead to some health problems.
缺乏 (quēfá) means to lack or be short of.
许多加工食品都添加了维生素以增加营养价值。
Many processed foods have added vitamins to increase nutritional value.
添加 (tiānjiā) means to add.
人体无法自行合成所有必需的维生素。
The human body cannot synthesize all essential vitamins on its own.
合成 (héchéng) means to synthesize.
为了保持皮肤健康，她每天服用维生素E。
To maintain healthy skin, she takes vitamin E every day.
保持 (bǎochí) means to maintain or keep.
Test Yourself 6 questions
苹果富含很多___。
Apples are rich in many vitamins. '维生素' means vitamin.
你需要多吃水果和蔬菜来补充___。
You need to eat more fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins. '补充' means to supplement.
这种药片含有多种___。
This pill contains various vitamins. '药片' means pill, '多种' means various.
晒太阳可以帮助身体制造___D。
Sun exposure can help the body produce Vitamin D. '制造' means to produce.
缺乏___C会导致生病。
Lack of Vitamin C can lead to illness. '缺乏' means lack, '生病' means to get sick.
蔬菜和水果是___的主要来源。
Vegetables and fruits are the main source of vitamins. '主要来源' means main source.
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Example
多吃水果可以补充维生素。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
More health words
一粒
A2One pill; a grain (for small, round objects like pills).
一片
A2One tablet; a slice (for flat objects like pills).
不正常
A2abnormal
以上
A2Above, over (a number)
酸痛
A2Sore; aching (especially muscles).
倒是
A2On the contrary; actually.
针灸
A2Acupuncture; traditional Chinese therapy.
扎针
A2to give an injection
急性
B1acute (illness)
急性病
B1Acute disease.
