At the A1 level, you only need to know that '细胞' (xìbāo) means 'cell'. Think of it as the tiny building blocks that make up your body. You might see this word in very simple science books for children. You don't need to use it in complex sentences yet. Just remember that '细' means small and '胞' refers to a tiny part of the body. If you can recognize the word and know it relates to biology, you are doing great! At this stage, you can use it in very basic sentences like '这是细胞' (This is a cell) or '我有细胞' (I have cells). Focus on the pronunciation: 'xì' (fourth tone, falling) and 'bāo' (first tone, high and flat). It is a noun, so it usually comes after a number or a possessive like '我的'.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use '细胞' in more descriptive sentences. You can start talking about '植物细胞' (plant cells) and '动物细胞' (animal cells). This is also the level where you can learn the very common metaphorical meaning: talent. If you are good at music, you can say '我有音乐细胞' (I have musical cells). This is a very natural way to speak! You should also know the measure word '个' (gè) for cells, like '一个细胞' (one cell). At this stage, you should be careful not to confuse '细胞' (cell) with '细菌' (bacteria), which is another common 'xì' word. Try to use '细胞' when describing why you are good or bad at a hobby, as it makes your Chinese sound more authentic and less like a textbook.
At the B1 level, you are expected to use '细胞' in more complex grammatical structures. You should be able to use the '由...组成' (composed of) pattern to describe biological systems, such as '人体是由细胞组成的' (The human body is composed of cells). You will also encounter specific types of cells in health-related topics, such as '红细胞' (red blood cells) and '白细胞' (white blood cells). In discussions about lifestyle and health, you might hear about '细胞再生' (cell regeneration) in advertisements or health articles. Your metaphorical usage should also become more varied; you can talk about '幽默细胞' (sense of humor) or '艺术细胞' (artistic talent) with ease. You should understand that '细胞' is a fundamental concept in both science and personality descriptions in Chinese culture.
At the B2 level, '细胞' appears in more technical and abstract contexts. You will read about '干细胞' (stem cells) and '基因' (genes) in news reports about technology and medicine. You should be able to discuss the implications of '细胞工程' (cell engineering) or '细胞克隆' (cell cloning). In literature or advanced essays, '细胞' might be used to describe the smallest unit of a society or an organization, though this is less common than the biological or talent meanings. You should be comfortable using verbs like '分裂' (divide), '培养' (culture), and '变异' (mutate) alongside '细胞'. Your understanding of the word should now include its role in complex scientific discourse and its nuances in expressing innate ability versus acquired skill.
At the C1 level, your mastery of '细胞' should be near-native. You can participate in deep discussions about '细胞免疫学' (cellular immunology) or the ethics of '干细胞研究' (stem cell research). You will recognize the word in sophisticated metaphors in literature, where it might represent the core essence of a person's character or the micro-structure of a complex social phenomenon. You should be able to distinguish between '细胞' and other related scientific terms like '分子' (molecule), '原子' (atom), and '组织' (tissue) with absolute precision. You can also use the word in formal presentations or academic writing, employing advanced collocations like '细胞凋亡' (apoptosis) or '细胞信号传导' (cell signaling). Your use of the word in its 'talent' sense will be perfectly timed and culturally appropriate.
At the C2 level, '细胞' is a tool you use with complete flexibility. You can appreciate and use the word in highly specialized scientific papers, philosophical treatises, or avant-garde poetry. You might encounter '细胞' being used to describe the fundamental 'DNA' of a brand or a corporate culture in a business context. You have a deep understanding of the word's history and its role in the modernization of the Chinese language. You can effortlessly switch between its literal biological meaning, its common metaphorical meaning of 'talent', and its more abstract uses in describing the fundamental units of any complex system. At this level, the word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile concept that you can manipulate to express subtle shades of meaning in any register.

细胞 30秒了解

  • The basic biological unit of life, equivalent to 'cell' in English.
  • A common Chinese metaphor for innate talent or a 'knack' for something.
  • Used in phrases like '艺术细胞' (artistic talent) or '运动细胞' (athletic talent).
  • Essential for biology, medicine, and social descriptions of personality.

The Chinese word 细胞 (xìbāo) primarily refers to the biological 'cell', which is the fundamental structural, functional, and biological unit of all known living organisms. However, in the Chinese language, its usage extends far beyond the confines of a biology textbook. It is a word that bridges the gap between hard science and daily metaphorical expression, making it a fascinating study for learners. When you first encounter this word at the A2 level, you might simply learn it as a noun for 'cell', but as you progress, you will see it used to describe a person's innate talent or aptitude for a specific skill.

Biological Context
In a scientific or medical setting, 细胞 is used exactly like 'cell' in English. It describes everything from plant cells (植物细胞) to animal cells (动物细胞), and specific types like red blood cells (红细胞) or white blood cells (白细胞). When doctors discuss health, they might talk about 细胞再生 (cell regeneration) or 细胞受损 (cell damage).

人体是由数万亿个细胞组成的。 (The human body is composed of trillions of cells.)

Metaphorical Context
In colloquial Chinese, 细胞 is frequently used to describe someone's natural talent or 'knack' for something. It is as if the talent is literally built into their biological makeup. For example, if someone is a natural dancer, you might say they have 'dancing cells' (舞蹈细胞). If they are terrible at sports, you might say they lack 'athletic cells' (运动细胞). This usage is incredibly common in social conversations and is a great way to sound more like a native speaker.

他真的一点幽默细胞都没有。 (He really doesn't have a single cell of humor/a sense of humor at all.)

The word is composed of two characters: 细 (xì), meaning 'fine', 'tiny', or 'meticulous', and 胞 (bāo), which refers to a 'sac' or 'placenta' or 'womb'. Together, they create the image of a 'tiny sac', which is a perfect descriptive translation of the biological cell. This term was actually coined during the late Qing Dynasty when Western scientific texts were being translated into Chinese. Unlike some other scientific terms that can feel dry, 细胞 has a rhythmic, natural feel to it. You will find it in news reports about stem cell research (干细胞研究), in skincare advertisements promising to 'revitalize your skin cells' (唤醒肌肤细胞), and in casual banter among friends about why someone can't sing on key. Understanding both the literal and figurative sides of this word is key to mastering its use in everyday Chinese life.

科学家们正在研究这种新型细胞。 (Scientists are researching this new type of cell.)

Cultural Nuance
In Chinese culture, the idea that talent is 'in the cells' reflects a traditional view that some abilities are innate. While hard work is highly valued, saying someone has 'artistic cells' is a high compliment, suggesting they possess a soul-deep connection to the craft. It is more than just being 'good' at something; it implies that the skill is an inseparable part of who they are.

我天生就没有运动细胞,跑两步就累。 (I was born without athletic cells; I get tired after running just a few steps.)

这种药物可以直接作用于癌细胞。 (This medicine can act directly on cancer cells.)

Using 细胞 (xìbāo) correctly requires understanding its role as a standard noun and its specific grammatical patterns in both scientific and metaphorical contexts. Because it is a countable noun, it often appears with measure words, most commonly '个' (gè). However, in the metaphorical sense, it often appears without a measure word, functioning more like an abstract mass noun representing 'talent'. Let's explore the various ways to integrate this word into your Chinese sentences effectively.

Describing Composition
When talking about biology, we often use the pattern 'A 是由 B 组成的' (A is composed of B). For example: '生物是由细胞组成的' (Living things are composed of cells). This is a formal and very common structure in scientific writing and educational contexts.

所有的生物都是由一个或多个细胞构成的。 (All living organisms are made up of one or more cells.)

Expressing Talent (The 'Have' Pattern)
The most common way to use the word metaphorically is with the verb '有' (yǒu - to have) or '没有' (méiyǒu - to not have). The structure is: [Subject] + [有/没有] + [Adjective/Noun] + 细胞. For example, '你有艺术细胞' means 'You have artistic talent'. You can also add modifiers like '充满' (chōngmǎn - to be full of) to emphasize the abundance of talent.

我妹妹很有音乐细胞,她三岁就会弹钢琴。 (My younger sister has a lot of musical talent; she could play the piano at age three.)

Verbs Associated with Cells
In biological contexts, certain verbs are frequently paired with 细胞. These include '分裂' (fēnliè - to divide), '再生' (zàishēng - to regenerate), '培养' (péiyǎng - to culture/grow), and '受损' (shòusǔn - to be damaged). Learning these collocations will help you discuss more complex topics like health, aging, and science.

这种护肤品声称可以促进细胞再生。 (This skincare product claims to promote cell regeneration.)

在显微镜下,我们可以看到细胞正在分裂。 (Under the microscope, we can see the cells dividing.)

Another important pattern involves the use of '作用于' (zuòyòng yú - to act upon). This is often used in medical contexts to describe how a drug or treatment affects specific cells. For instance, '这种药物作用于癌细胞' (This drug acts upon cancer cells). Additionally, when describing the health of cells, you might use '活跃' (huóyuè - active). For example, '年轻人的细胞通常比较活跃' (The cells of young people are usually more active). Understanding these patterns allows you to move from simple sentences to more sophisticated descriptions of biological processes or personal attributes.

他身上充满了运动细胞,什么球类运动都难不倒他。 (He is full of athletic talent; no ball sport can defeat him.)

虽然他很努力,但他确实缺乏数学细胞。 (Although he works hard, he really lacks a 'math brain'.)

The word 细胞 (xìbāo) is remarkably versatile, appearing in diverse environments from high-tech laboratories to casual dinner table conversations. Because it encompasses both scientific and metaphorical meanings, you will encounter it in various registers of speech and writing. Recognizing these contexts will help you understand the speaker's intent—whether they are discussing health, education, or personality traits.

In Educational Settings
From elementary school nature classes to university-level molecular biology lectures, 细胞 is a staple term. Teachers will use it to explain the structure of life, the process of photosynthesis in plant cells (植物细胞), or the way the human immune system works via white blood cells (白细胞). If you visit a science museum (科技馆) in China, the exhibits on biology will be filled with this word.

老师在黑板上画了一个典型的动物细胞结构图。 (The teacher drew a diagram of a typical animal cell structure on the blackboard.)

In Medical and Healthcare Contexts
When you go for a health check-up or read a medical report, 细胞 is frequently mentioned. Blood tests often report on '血细胞计数' (blood cell count). In news reports about medical breakthroughs, you'll hear about '干细胞治疗' (stem cell therapy) or '免疫细胞' (immune cells). It is also a key word in discussions about cancer, where '癌细胞' (cancer cells) is the standard term.

化验结果显示,他的白细胞偏高,可能是有炎症。 (The test results show his white blood cell count is high, possibly indicating inflammation.)

In Social and Casual Conversations
This is where the 'talent' meaning shines. Friends will use it to tease each other or offer praise. If someone is being very funny, a friend might say, '你真是全身都充满了幽默细胞' (You are truly full of humor cells from head to toe). If someone is struggling to learn a simple dance step, they might jokingly lament, '我真的没有跳舞细胞' (I really don't have any dancing cells). It is a lighthearted, slightly self-deprecating, or highly complimentary way to talk about skills.

看他画得那么好,他肯定很有艺术细胞。 (Seeing how well he draws, he must have a lot of artistic talent.)

Furthermore, in the beauty and wellness industry in China, 细胞 is a buzzword. You will see it on billboards for anti-aging creams that claim to 'repair damaged cells' (修复受损细胞) or in health food advertisements discussing 'cellular nutrition' (细胞营养). Whether you are reading a scientific journal, watching a variety show, or shopping for skincare, 细胞 is a word that will constantly cross your path. Its transition from a technical term to a cultural idiom makes it one of the most versatile nouns in the modern Chinese lexicon.

细胞技术在现代医学中占有重要地位。 (Stem cell technology holds an important position in modern medicine.)

我妈常说我爸一点浪漫细胞都没有。 (My mom often says my dad doesn't have a single cell of romance in him.)

While 细胞 (xìbāo) is a relatively straightforward noun, learners often encounter pitfalls when it comes to character recognition, word choice among similar terms, and the subtle differences between Chinese and English usage of 'cell'. Avoiding these common errors will significantly improve your accuracy and naturalness in Chinese.

Confusion with 细菌 (xìjūn)
This is the most frequent mistake for beginners. Both words start with '细' (xì), but they mean very different things. 细胞 (xìbāo) means 'cell', the building block of life. 细菌 (xìjūn) means 'bacteria', a type of microorganism. While bacteria are made of a single cell, they are not the same thing. In Chinese, you wouldn't say your body is made of '细菌' unless you were discussing an infection!

错误:洗手可以杀死身上的细胞。 (Wrong: Washing hands can kill the cells on your body.)
正确:洗手可以杀死身上的细菌。 (Correct: Washing hands can kill the bacteria on your body.)

Misunderstanding the English 'Cell' Polysemy
In English, 'cell' can mean a biological cell, a prison cell, a battery cell, or a small group in an organization. In Chinese, 细胞 *only* refers to the biological or metaphorical 'talent' cell. If you want to say 'prison cell', you use '牢房' (láofáng). If you mean 'battery cell', you use '电池' (diànchí). Using '细胞' for a prison cell is a common 'Chinglish' error.

错误:他在细胞里住了五年。 (Wrong: He lived in a 'cell' for five years - sounds like he lived inside a biological cell.)
正确:他在牢房里住了五年。 (Correct: He lived in a prison cell for five years.)

Character Confusion: 胞 (bāo) vs. 包 (bāo)
Both characters are pronounced 'bāo', but '包' means 'bag' or 'package', while '胞' contains the 'flesh' radical (月/肉), indicating its biological nature. Writing '细包' is a common orthographic error for students. Always remember the 'meat' radical on the left of '胞' to signify it's part of a living body.

注意:是“细胞”,不是“细包”。 (Note: It is 'xìbāo' (cell), not 'xìbāo' (thin bag).)

Finally, when using the metaphorical sense, don't over-rely on it for *every* kind of skill. While '艺术细胞' and '运动细胞' are very common, saying '学习细胞' (learning cells) or '开车细胞' (driving cells) is less common and might sound a bit unnatural. Stick to established metaphorical phrases like '幽默细胞', '艺术细胞', '运动细胞', and '音乐细胞' for the best results. Overextending this metaphor to every verb can make your Chinese sound forced rather than creative.

虽然他很聪明,但他没有生意细胞。 (Although he is smart, he doesn't have a 'business brain'.)

细胞负责输送氧气。 (Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen.)

In both biological and metaphorical contexts, 细胞 (xìbāo) has several related words. Understanding the distinctions between them will help you choose the most precise term for your needs. Whether you are moving up the biological hierarchy from cells to organs or looking for other ways to describe talent, these comparisons are essential.

Biological Hierarchy: 细胞 vs. 组织 vs. 器官
  • 细胞 (xìbāo): The smallest unit (e.g., a skin cell).
  • 组织 (zǔzhī): A group of similar cells working together (tissue, e.g., muscle tissue).
  • 器官 (qìguān): A group of tissues that perform a specific function (organ, e.g., the heart).

心脏是一个重要的器官,由许多肌肉细胞组成。 (The heart is an important organ, composed of many muscle cells.)

Metaphorical Talent: 细胞 vs. 天赋 vs. 才能
  • 细胞 (xìbāo): Colloquial and vivid; implies the talent is 'biological'. Used for 'knacks'.
  • 天赋 (tiānfù): More formal; means 'innate gift' or 'talent from heaven'.
  • 才能 (cáinéng): Focuses on 'ability' or 'competence', often developed through practice.

他在数学方面非常有天赋,简直就是为了数字而生的。 (He has a great talent for mathematics; he was simply born for numbers.)

Scientific Precision: 细胞 vs. 分子 vs. 原子
  • 细胞 (xìbāo): The smallest unit of life.
  • 分子 (fēnzǐ): Molecule (chemical level).
  • 原子 (yuánzǐ): Atom (physical/chemical level).

水分子比任何细胞都要小得多。 (Water molecules are much smaller than any cell.)

When you want to emphasize the fundamental nature of something without using the word 'cell', you might use '基本单位' (jīběn dānwèi - basic unit). In a social context, if you want to avoid the biological metaphor of '细胞', you can use '天分' (tiānfèn - talent) or '灵气' (língqì - spiritual inspiration/natural grace). For example, '她很有演戏的天分' (She has a talent for acting). However, '细胞' remains the most colorful and common way to describe that 'innate spark' in daily modern Mandarin.

植物细胞有细胞壁,而动物细胞没有。 (Plant cells have cell walls, while animal cells do not.)

我们要保护好身体里的每一个细胞。 (We should take good care of every cell in our body.)

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

While 'cell' in English comes from the Latin 'cella' (meaning a small room, like a monk's cell), the Chinese translation '细胞' focuses on the physical appearance and biological nature (the sac).

发音指南

UK /xî.pɑ́ʊ/
US /si.baʊ/
The stress is slightly more on the first syllable 'xì' due to the falling tone.
押韵词
地包 (dìbāo) 气包 (qìbāo) 提包 (tíbāo) 红包 (hóngbāo) 面包 (miànbāo) 草包 (cǎobāo) 钱包 (qiánbāo) 书包 (shūbāo)
常见错误
  • Pronouncing 'xi' like 'she'. It should be a more dental 's' sound.
  • Pronouncing 'bao' with a fourth tone like 'bào' (report). It must be high and flat.
  • Confusing the tones: xìbāo vs. xībāo.
  • Mixing up 'xi' and 'qi'.
  • Incorrectly pronouncing 'bao' as 'pao'.

难度评级

阅读 2/5

Characters are relatively simple; '细' is very common, '胞' is easy to recognize with the flesh radical.

写作 3/5

Writing '胞' correctly requires attention to the radical and the right side structure.

口语 2/5

Easy to pronounce; the 'x' sound is the only minor hurdle for some learners.

听力 2/5

Clearly distinguishable in context, though occasionally confused with '细菌'.

接下来学什么

前置知识

身体 没有 艺术

接下来学习

细菌 基因 组织 器官 分裂

高级

凋亡 分化 克隆 免疫 新陈代谢

需要掌握的语法

Measure Words for Nouns

一个细胞 (One cell)

The 'Composed of' Structure

人体是由细胞组成的。

Adjectives Modifying Nouns

健康的细胞 (Healthy cells)

The 'Have/Lack' Talent Pattern

他缺乏音乐细胞。

Negative '没有' with Abstract Nouns

我没有艺术细胞。

按水平分级的例句

1

这是细胞。

This is a cell.

Basic 'Subject + 是 + Noun' structure.

2

细胞很小。

Cells are very small.

Adjective predicate with '很'.

3

我有细胞。

I have cells.

Basic 'Subject + 有 + Object' structure.

4

植物有细胞。

Plants have cells.

Simple noun phrase as subject.

5

你看,这是细胞。

Look, this is a cell.

Imperative '看' used for attention.

6

细胞是圆的吗?

Are cells round?

Question formed with '吗'.

7

人有很多细胞。

Humans have many cells.

Using '很多' (many) to modify the noun.

8

我不认识这个细胞。

I don't know this cell.

Negative '不' with the verb '认识'.

1

他很有音乐细胞。

He has a lot of musical talent.

Metaphorical use: [Adjective] + 细胞.

2

我没有运动细胞。

I don't have athletic talent.

Negative '没有' used with metaphorical '细胞'.

3

显微镜下有很多细胞。

There are many cells under the microscope.

Locative phrase '显微镜下' as subject/context.

4

这种细胞是绿色的。

This type of cell is green.

Using '这种' (this kind) to specify the noun.

5

每个人都有数亿个细胞。

Every person has hundreds of millions of cells.

Measure word '个' used with a large number.

6

你有艺术细胞吗?

Do you have artistic talent?

Interrogative sentence using '吗'.

7

小猫也有细胞。

Kittens also have cells.

Using '也' (also) to show similarity.

8

我们要学习细胞知识。

We need to study knowledge about cells.

Noun '细胞' modifying '知识'.

1

人体是由无数个细胞组成的。

The human body is composed of countless cells.

The '由...组成' (composed of) passive-like structure.

2

他的幽默细胞让大家都很开心。

His sense of humor makes everyone very happy.

The noun phrase '幽默细胞' acts as the subject.

3

红细胞在血液中运输氧气。

Red blood cells transport oxygen in the blood.

Specific biological term '红细胞'.

4

这种药物可以杀死癌细胞。

This drug can kill cancer cells.

Specific biological term '癌细胞'.

5

细胞分裂是生物生长的基础。

Cell division is the basis of biological growth.

Using '分裂' (division) as a noun modifier.

6

白细胞可以帮助我们抵抗疾病。

White blood cells can help us resist diseases.

Specific biological term '白细胞'.

7

你真是一个充满运动细胞的人。

You really are a person full of athletic talent.

Using '充满' (full of) to describe abundance.

8

科学家在实验室里培养细胞。

Scientists are culturing cells in the lab.

Verb '培养' (culture) paired with '细胞'.

1

干细胞研究在医学界引起了广泛关注。

Stem cell research has attracted widespread attention in the medical community.

Compound noun '干细胞研究'.

2

这些受损的细胞需要时间来修复。

These damaged cells need time to repair.

Passive-like adjective '受损' (damaged) modifying '细胞'.

3

细胞膜保护着细胞内部的结构。

The cell membrane protects the structures inside the cell.

Specific term '细胞膜' (cell membrane).

4

这种变异细胞具有很强的生命力。

This mutated cell has very strong vitality.

Adjective '变异' (mutated) and noun '生命力' (vitality).

5

他确实缺乏一些浪漫细胞。

He indeed lacks some romantic talent.

Using '缺乏' (lack) with metaphorical '细胞'.

6

细胞壁是植物细胞特有的结构。

The cell wall is a structure unique to plant cells.

The pattern '...是...特有的' (is unique to...).

7

神经细胞负责传递大脑的信号。

Nerve cells are responsible for transmitting signals from the brain.

Specific term '神经细胞' (nerve cell/neuron).

8

这种护肤品声称能唤醒细胞活力。

This skincare product claims to awaken cell vitality.

Abstract noun '活力' (vitality) paired with '细胞'.

1

细胞凋亡是多细胞生物中一种正常的生理过程。

Apoptosis is a normal physiological process in multicellular organisms.

Highly technical term '细胞凋亡' (apoptosis).

2

免疫细胞能够精确地识别并攻击病毒。

Immune cells can precisely identify and attack viruses.

Adverb '精确地' (precisely) modifying the verb '识别'.

3

他的每一寸肌肤、每一个细胞都透着优雅。

Every inch of his skin, every cell, exudes elegance.

Literary use of '细胞' for poetic emphasis.

4

细胞信号传导通路的异常可能导致癌症。

Abnormalities in cell signaling pathways can lead to cancer.

Complex scientific phrase '细胞信号传导通路'.

5

这种新型材料可以模拟细胞外基质。

This new material can simulate the extracellular matrix.

Technical term '细胞外基质' (extracellular matrix).

6

在分子水平上研究细胞的功能是非常复杂的。

Studying cell functions at the molecular level is very complex.

Prepositional phrase '在...水平上' (at the ... level).

7

他仿佛天生就带着某种某种商业细胞。

He seems to have been born with some kind of business talent.

The word '某种' (some kind of) adding nuance to the metaphor.

8

细胞核包含了生物体的大部分遗传物质。

The cell nucleus contains most of the organism's genetic material.

Technical term '细胞核' (cell nucleus).

1

单细胞生物在地球演化史上占据了漫长的时期。

Unicellular organisms occupied a long period in the history of Earth's evolution.

Compound term '单细胞生物' (unicellular organism).

2

该论文深入探讨了细胞自噬的分子机制。

The paper delves into the molecular mechanisms of autophagy.

Highly technical term '细胞自噬' (autophagy).

3

这种艺术风格已经融入了他的血液和细胞之中。

This artistic style has already integrated into his blood and cells.

Metaphorical hyperbole for deep integration.

4

细胞重编程技术为再生医学带来了无限可能。

Cell reprogramming technology has brought infinite possibilities to regenerative medicine.

Advanced term '细胞重编程' (cell reprogramming).

5

每一个社会组织都可以被视为一个庞大的细胞。

Every social organization can be viewed as a massive cell.

Philosophical/Sociological metaphor.

6

线粒体被称为细胞的“动力工厂”。

Mitochondria are known as the 'powerhouses' of the cell.

Quotation marks used for a famous analogy.

7

科学家们成功实现了体细胞克隆。

Scientists successfully achieved somatic cell cloning.

Technical term '体细胞' (somatic cell).

8

细胞层面的细微变化可能预示着重大的健康危机。

Subtle changes at the cellular level may portend major health crises.

Formal verb '预示' (portend/foreshadow).

常见搭配

红细胞
白细胞
癌细胞
干细胞
艺术细胞
运动细胞
音乐细胞
幽默细胞
细胞分裂
细胞再生

常用短语

单细胞生物

— Unicellular organism. Also used slangily for a simple-minded person.

阿米巴原虫是一种单细胞生物。

神经细胞

— Nerve cell or neuron. Essential for brain function.

神经细胞传递信息非常快。

细胞核

— Cell nucleus. The control center of the cell.

DNA主要存在于细胞核中。

细胞膜

— Cell membrane. The outer layer of a cell.

细胞膜控制物质的出入。

细胞壁

— Cell wall. Only found in plant cells.

植物细胞比动物细胞多了细胞壁。

富有细胞

— To be rich in 'cells' (talent). High praise for someone's skill.

他富有艺术细胞,画作很有灵气。

缺乏细胞

— To lack 'cells' (talent). A polite way to say someone isn't good at something.

我确实缺乏运动细胞。

唤醒细胞

— To awaken cells. Common in skincare and health marketing.

这款精华液能唤醒肌肤细胞。

杀死细胞

— To kill cells. Used in medical contexts (e.g., chemotherapy).

放疗会杀死一部分正常细胞。

细胞工程

— Cell engineering. A field of biotechnology.

细胞工程在农业上应用广泛。

容易混淆的词

细胞 vs 细菌 (xìjūn)

Bacteria. A different biological entity entirely.

细胞 vs 纤维 (xiānwéi)

Fiber. Often used in similar health/material contexts.

细胞 vs 组织 (zǔzhī)

Tissue. The next level up in biological hierarchy.

习语与表达

"深入细胞"

— Deep into the cells. Used to describe something that is part of one's core being.

那种恐惧已经深入他的细胞。

Literary
"换个细胞"

— To change a cell. Metaphorically, to completely change one's mindset or nature.

他去了一趟西藏,回来后像换了个细胞一样。

Informal
"满身细胞"

— Full of cells. Usually followed by a talent (e.g., 满身幽默细胞).

他满身都是戏,真是个演戏的细胞。

Colloquial
"活化细胞"

— To activate cells. Often used in health and beauty contexts.

适当的运动可以活化全身细胞。

Neutral
"细胞总动员"

— Cell mobilization. Used metaphorically for a total effort or a lively scene.

为了这次考试,我全身细胞都总动员了。

Humorous
"天生细胞"

— Innate cells. Emphasizing that a talent is born, not made.

他那天生的音乐细胞是别人学不来的。

Colloquial
"艺术细胞"

— Artistic cells. The most common idiom-like phrase for artistic talent.

你这么会穿搭,一定很有艺术细胞。

Colloquial
"运动细胞"

— Athletic cells. Standard way to describe natural sports ability.

我一点运动细胞都没有,跑两步就喘。

Colloquial
"浪漫细胞"

— Romantic cells. Used to describe one's capacity for romance.

我男朋友一点浪漫细胞都没有。

Colloquial
"幽默细胞"

— Humor cells. Used to describe a sense of humor.

他是个冷场王,完全没有幽默细胞。

Colloquial

容易混淆

细胞 vs 细菌

Both start with '细'.

细胞 (cell) is a building block; 细菌 (bacteria) is a microbe.

我们的身体由细胞组成,但有时会被细菌感染。

细胞 vs 牢房

English 'cell' can mean prison cell.

细胞 is biological; 牢房 is for prisoners.

犯人住在牢房里,不是细胞里。

细胞 vs 电池

English 'cell' can mean battery cell.

细胞 is biological; 电池 is for power.

手电筒需要电池。

细胞 vs 小组

English 'cell' can mean a small group (e.g., terrorist cell).

细胞 is biological; 小组 is a social unit.

他们成立了一个学习小组。

细胞 vs 原子

Both are fundamental units.

细胞 is the unit of life; 原子 is the unit of matter.

原子组成分子,分子组成细胞。

句型

A1

这是[Noun]。

这是细胞。

A2

我有[Type]细胞。

我有艺术细胞。

B1

[Subject]是由细胞组成的。

植物是由细胞组成的。

B1

[Verb]细胞

培养细胞

B2

[Adjective]细胞

受损的细胞

C1

在细胞层面[Verb]

在细胞层面进行研究

C1

每一个细胞都[Verb/Adj]

每一个细胞都充满了活力。

C2

[Abstract Concept]的细胞

社会组织的细胞

词族

名词

干细胞
红细胞
白细胞
癌细胞
神经细胞
细胞核
细胞膜
细胞壁

动词

细胞分裂
细胞再生
细胞分化
细胞培养

形容词

多细胞的
单细胞的
细胞内的
细胞外的

相关

基因
染色体
蛋白质
组织
器官

如何使用

frequency

High (essential science and common social metaphor).

常见错误
  • Using '细胞' for a prison cell. 牢房 (láofáng)

    In Chinese, 细胞 is only biological/metaphorical talent.

  • Writing '细包' instead of '细胞'. 细胞

    The character '胞' must have the flesh radical '月'.

  • Confusing '细胞' with '细菌'. 细菌 (bacteria)

    Bacteria are microbes; cells are the building blocks of all life.

  • Saying '我有学习细胞'. 我很有学习天赋。

    '细胞' is usually reserved for specific talents like art, music, or sports.

  • Pronouncing 'xì' as 'xī'. xì (fourth tone)

    The fourth tone is necessary for the correct meaning.

小贴士

Microscopic View

Whenever you see '细胞', imagine looking through a microscope. It helps reinforce the biological meaning.

Complimenting Friends

Use '你有[X]细胞' to compliment a friend's natural skill. It sounds very native and warm.

Radical Check

Remember the '月' (flesh) radical in '胞'. It tells you the word is related to the body.

Measure Word

Always use '个' when you need to count cells. '三个细胞' is the correct way.

Talent Metaphor

Don't be surprised if people talk about 'cells' in a non-science context; they are just talking about talent!

Compound Power

Learn '红细胞' and '白细胞' together. It's a quick way to double your medical vocabulary.

Tone Accuracy

Focus on the fourth tone of 'xì'. If you say it with a first tone, people might not understand.

Cell Bag

Think of '胞' as similar to '包' (bag). A cell is a tiny bag of life.

Prison Warning

Never use '细胞' for 'prison cell'. It's a common mistake for English speakers.

Science News

Read Chinese science news to see '细胞' used in high-level contexts like genetics and medicine.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of '细' (xì) as 'teeny-tiny' and '胞' (bāo) as a 'bag' (like '包' bāo). So, a cell is just a 'teeny-tiny biological bag'!

视觉联想

Imagine a microscopic water balloon. The thin rubber is the 细胞膜 (membrane) and the water inside is the 细胞质 (cytoplasm).

Word Web

生命 (Life) 微小 (Tiny) 分裂 (Divide) 天赋 (Talent) 红细胞 (Red Blood Cell) 白细胞 (White Blood Cell) 显微镜 (Microscope) 癌细胞 (Cancer Cell)

挑战

Try to describe three people you know using the word '细胞'. One who is funny, one who is athletic, and one who is artistic.

词源

The term '细胞' was introduced into the Chinese language in the late 19th century as a translation for the Western biological concept of the 'cell'. It was popularized during the translation of scientific texts from English and Japanese.

原始含义: The characters literally mean 'tiny' (细) and 'sac/placenta' (胞). This perfectly describes the microscopic, enclosed structure of a biological cell.

Modern Standard Chinese (Sino-Tibetan).

文化背景

Be careful when discussing '癌细胞' (cancer cells) as it is a sensitive medical topic. Use the metaphorical 'talent' sense only in positive or lighthearted contexts.

English speakers use 'it's in my DNA' similarly to how Chinese speakers use '我有...细胞'.

The movie 'Cells at Work!' (工作细胞) is very popular in China and teaches biology through personified cells. Skincare ads from brands like SK-II often mention 'cellular repair'. Stem cell research (干细胞) is a frequent topic in Chinese news regarding medical innovation.

在生活中练习

真实语境

Biology Class

  • 观察细胞
  • 细胞结构
  • 细胞壁
  • 实验报告

Hospital/Doctor

  • 白细胞计数
  • 癌细胞
  • 细胞受损
  • 检查结果

Talking about Hobbies

  • 运动细胞
  • 音乐细胞
  • 艺术细胞
  • 天赋

Skincare/Beauty

  • 细胞修复
  • 活化细胞
  • 细胞活力
  • 抗衰老

News/Technology

  • 干细胞研究
  • 细胞克隆
  • 医学突破
  • 实验室

对话开场白

"你觉得自己有艺术细胞吗?"

"你在学校学过关于细胞的知识吗?"

"你觉得运动细胞是天生的还是练出来的?"

"如果可以克隆细胞,你最想克隆什么?"

"你听说过干细胞治疗吗?"

日记主题

描述一个你觉得很有‘幽默细胞’的朋友,并举例说明。

如果你有‘运动细胞’,你最想尝试哪种运动?为什么?

写一段话,向一个小孩子解释什么是细胞。

记录一次你在显微镜下观察东西的经历。

谈谈你对自己身体里数万亿个细胞的看法。

常见问题

10 个问题

No. In Chinese, '细胞' is strictly biological or metaphorical for talent. For a prison cell, use '牢房' (láofáng).

The most common measure word is '个' (gè), as in '一个细胞'.

The word for stem cell is '干细胞' (gànxìbāo).

No, it is a colloquial metaphor used to describe artistic talent. In formal contexts, you might use '艺术天赋'.

细胞 (xìbāo) means 'cell', while 细菌 (xìjūn) means 'bacteria'. Don't mix them up!

It's not very common. Usually, '细胞' is used for creative or athletic talents like music, art, sports, or humor.

It is '红细胞' (hóngxìbāo).

Yes, it is a noun.

Yes, plants have '植物细胞' (zhíwù xìbāo).

No, it is always a noun. To describe cellular actions, you add a verb, like '细胞分裂' (cell division).

自我测试 180 个问题

writing

请用‘细胞’写一个关于你自己的句子。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

描述一下什么是‘艺术细胞’。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

用‘由...组成’写一个关于细胞的句子。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

如果你没有‘运动细胞’,你会怎么做?

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

简单介绍一下红细胞的功能。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

写一段话,赞美一个很有幽默感的朋友。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

谈谈你对干细胞研究的看法。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

描述你在显微镜下看到细胞的感觉。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

解释为什么白细胞对人体很重要。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

用‘细胞’写一个比喻句。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

介绍一下植物细胞和动物细胞的一个区别。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

如果你想变漂亮,你会关注什么样的细胞?

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

写一个关于‘癌细胞’的科普句子。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

用‘缺乏...细胞’造句。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

描述神经细胞的作用。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

写一个关于‘单细胞生物’的幽默句子。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

谈谈细胞工程在未来的应用。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

用‘唤醒细胞’写一个广告语。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

解释‘细胞凋亡’对生物的意义。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
writing

写一段关于你最喜欢的科学实验(涉及细胞)。

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

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

请大声朗读:‘人体是由数万亿个细胞组成的。’

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

说说你觉得自己有哪些‘细胞’?(比如艺术、运动等)

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

向朋友介绍一下你的一个很有‘幽默细胞’的朋友。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

简单解释一下红细胞和白细胞的区别。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

谈谈你对干细胞技术的看法。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

如果你没有运动细胞,你还会参加比赛吗?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

描述一下你在显微镜下看到的细胞样子。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

说一个关于‘单细胞生物’的玩笑。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

解释为什么植物需要细胞壁。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

用‘细胞’造一个比喻句并解释它的意思。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

谈谈细胞研究对人类健康的贡献。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

如果你是科学家,你想研究哪种细胞?为什么?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

描述一下癌细胞是如何扩散的。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

你认为天赋(细胞)比努力更重要吗?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

说出一个含有‘细胞’的广告词。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

解释‘细胞核’在细胞中的地位。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

谈谈你对克隆人的伦理看法。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

描述一下神经细胞是如何工作的。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

你觉得未来的医疗会进入‘细胞时代’吗?

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
speaking

总结一下今天学习‘细胞’这个词的心得。

Read this aloud:

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:老师说人体有多少个细胞?(音频:人体是由数万亿个细胞组成的。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:小王有什么细胞?(音频:大家都说小王很有艺术细胞。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:红细胞的任务是什么?(音频:红细胞在血液中运输氧气。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:医生在检查什么?(音频:医生正在检查病人的白细胞计数。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:这种面霜有什么作用?(音频:这款面霜声称可以活化肌肤细胞。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:什么是生命的基础?(音频:科学家认为细胞分裂是生命的基础。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:小李缺乏什么细胞?(音频:小李说他一点运动细胞都没有。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:干细胞研究在哪里进行?(音频:这项干细胞研究是在国家实验室进行的。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:什么是细胞的‘动力工厂’?(音频:线粒体被称为细胞的动力工厂。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:细胞核里有什么?(音频:细胞核里包含了生物的大部分遗传物质。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:什么被杀死了?(音频:放疗杀死了病人的一部分癌细胞。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:单细胞生物有什么特点?(音频:单细胞生物只有一个细胞,结构非常简单。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:为什么要用显微镜?(音频:细胞太小了,必须用显微镜才能看清。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:他为什么唱歌好听?(音频:他很有音乐细胞,天生嗓子就好。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
listening

听力练习:这种药物作用于哪里?(音频:这种新型药物直接作用于受损的神经细胞。)

正确! 不太对。 正确答案:
正确! 不太对。 正确答案:

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

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