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手术 [2025/08/04 01:23] – created xiaoer | 手术 [2025/08/04 01:24] (current) – xiaoer |
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====== shǒushù: 手术 - Surgery, Operation ====== | ====== shǒushù: 手术 - Surgery, Operation ====== |
===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
* **Keywords:** shoushu, shǒushù, 手术, Chinese surgery, operation in Chinese, medical operation, have surgery in Chinese, zuo shoushu, dong shoushu, Chinese medical terms, HSK 4 vocabulary | * **Keywords:** shoushu, shǒushù, 手术, Chinese for surgery, medical operation in Chinese, do surgery in China, have an operation, undergo surgery, 做手术, 动手术, Chinese medical terms, HSK 4 vocabulary. |
* **Summary:** "手术 (shǒushù)" is the primary Chinese word for a medical "surgery" or "operation." Literally meaning "hand technique," it aptly describes the skilled manual work performed by a surgeon. This term is used in all medical contexts, from minor procedures to major life-saving operations. Understanding "手术" and how to use it with verbs like "做 (zuò)" is essential for anyone needing to navigate the healthcare system in China or discuss medical topics. | * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word for surgery, **手术 (shǒushù)**. This entry breaks down what "shǒushù" means, how to use it correctly in conversation (e.g., "to have surgery" is **做手术 (zuò shǒushù)**, not *yǒu shǒushù*), and its cultural context within China's healthcare system. Perfect for any learner needing practical, real-world medical vocabulary. |
===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
* **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shǒushù | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** shǒushù |
* **Part of Speech:** Noun | * **Part of Speech:** Noun |
* **HSK Level:** HSK 4 | * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 |
* **Concise Definition:** A medical procedure involving the incision or manipulation of the body to treat injury, disease, or deformity. | * **Concise Definition:** A medical procedure involving incision or manipulation of the body; a surgery or an operation. |
* **In a Nutshell:** `手术` is the standard, neutral term for what English speakers call "surgery" or an "operation." Think of it as the go-to word you would hear in a hospital, whether from a doctor explaining a procedure or from a family member discussing a relative's health. The characters themselves—"hand" and "technique"—provide a perfect mental image: the specialized skill of a surgeon's hands at work. | * **In a Nutshell:** **手术 (shǒushù)** is the standard, universal term for a medical operation in Mandarin Chinese. It's a direct and technical word, combining "hand" and "technique" to literally mean "hand technique." It covers everything from a minor outpatient procedure to major open-heart surgery. If you need to talk about surgery in a Chinese-speaking environment, this is the most important word you'll need. |
===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
* **手 (shǒu):** Hand. This is one of the most basic and common characters in Chinese, representing the physical hand. | * **手 (shǒu):** This character means "hand." It is one of the most fundamental characters and is a pictogram of a hand with five fingers. |
* **术 (shù):** Technique, skill, art, method. This character refers to a specialized, learned skill or methodology, like in `艺术 (yìshù)` (art) or `技术 (jìshù)` (technology). | * **术 (shù):** This character means "technique," "method," "skill," or "art." It's found in words like `技术 (jìshù)` for technology and `艺术 (yìshù)` for art. |
When combined, **手术 (shǒushù)** literally translates to "hand technique." This is a beautifully logical construction, as surgery is the ultimate application of a doctor's manual skill and technical knowledge to heal the body. | * Together, **手术 (shǒushù)** literally translates to "hand skill" or "hand technique." This paints a clear and logical picture of what surgery is: a highly skilled medical procedure performed by a surgeon's hands. |
===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
While `手术` itself is a modern medical term for a Western-style procedure, the cultural approach to it can differ from that in the West. | * In Chinese culture, **手术 (shǒushù)** is viewed with a mix of respect for modern science and deep-seated apprehension. The term itself emphasizes the high level of skill (`术`) required, and surgeons (`外科医生, wàikē yīshēng`) are held in very high esteem for their technical prowess. |
In many Western cultures, particularly the US, patient autonomy is paramount. A doctor will typically present options directly to the patient, and the patient makes the final call. In China, while this is changing, family involvement in major medical decisions is often much greater and sometimes expected by the medical staff. It's not uncommon for a doctor to discuss a serious diagnosis or the need for a major `手术` with the patient's adult children or spouse before, or even instead of, the patient, especially if the patient is elderly. | * A key cultural difference from the West lies in the decision-making process. While patient autonomy is the standard in Western medicine, in China, the family unit often plays a much more significant role. It's not uncommon for a doctor to discuss the need for a **手术** with the patient's immediate family first, or for the family to make the final decision collectively. This reflects the Confucian value of collectivism, where major life events, including serious health issues, are considered a family matter rather than a purely individual one. A decision to proceed with surgery is often a group consensus aimed at the collective good of the family. |
This practice is rooted in a combination of collectivist values (major life events are a family affair) and a traditional desire to protect the elderly or very ill from worry and stress. The family unit, not just the individual, is seen as the entity that collectively bears the burden of illness and makes the decision for a procedure like a `手术`. This can be a significant cultural difference for foreigners accustomed to a more individualistic approach to healthcare. | |
===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
`手术` is a high-frequency word in any discussion about health and medicine. It is used neutrally and formally. | * **手术 (shǒushù)** is a neutral noun used in all medical contexts, from formal hospital reports to casual conversations about a relative's health. The key to using it correctly is pairing it with the right verb. |
**Key Verbs to Use with 手术:** | * **To Have/Undergo Surgery:** The most common phrase is **做手术 (zuò shǒushù)**, which literally means "to do surgery." This phrase is used from the patient's perspective. Another common, slightly more dynamic phrase is **动手术 (dòng shǒushù)**, literally "to move surgery." |
* **做手术 (zuò shǒushù) - To have/do surgery:** This is the most common and versatile phrase. It can mean both "to undergo surgery" (from the patient's perspective) and "to perform surgery" (from the doctor's perspective). | * **To Perform Surgery:** From the doctor's perspective, the phrase is also **做手术 (zuò shǒushù)**. Context makes the meaning clear (e.g., `医生给我做手术` - The doctor performs surgery on me). |
* **动手术 (dòng shǒushù) - To have/do surgery:** This is very similar in meaning to `做手术` and is also extremely common. `动 (dòng)` means "to move" or "to act," so it carries a sense of "starting the action" of surgery. | * **Types of Surgery:** You can specify the type of surgery by adding a descriptor before it, such as `小手术 (xiǎo shǒushù)` for a minor operation or `心脏手术 (xīnzàng shǒushù)` for heart surgery. The term `整形手术 (zhěngxíng shǒushù)` is used for cosmetic or plastic surgery. |
* **接受手术 (jiēshòu shǒushù) - To receive/undergo surgery:** This is a slightly more formal way to say you are having surgery, emphasizing the patient as the recipient of the treatment. | |
These phrases are the backbone of talking about surgery in Chinese. | |
===== Example Sentences ===== | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
* **Example 1:** | * **Example 1:** |
* 医生说我爸爸需要马上做**手术**。 | * 医生说我需要做个小**手术**。 |
* Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ bàba xūyào mǎshàng zuò **shǒushù**. | * Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ xūyào zuò ge xiǎo **shǒushù**. |
* English: The doctor said my dad needs to have surgery immediately. | * English: The doctor said I need to have a minor operation. |
* Analysis: This shows the most common usage: `做手术 (zuò shǒushù)` for "to have surgery." | * Analysis: This shows the most common structure for a patient talking about their own surgery: `做 (zuò) + 手术 (shǒushù)`. `小 (xiǎo)` modifies it to mean "minor." |
* **Example 2:** | * **Example 2:** |
* 这个**手术**的风险高不高? | * 张医生的**手术**做得非常成功。 |
* Pinyin: Zhège **shǒushù** de fēngxiǎn gāo bù gāo? | * Pinyin: Zhāng yīshēng de **shǒushù** zuò de fēicháng chénggōng. |
* English: Are the risks of this surgery high? | * English: Dr. Zhang's surgery was performed very successfully. |
* Analysis: Here, `手术` is used as a noun being described by `风险 (fēngxiǎn)`, meaning "risk." | * Analysis: Here, `手术` is the subject of the sentence. The `做得` structure is a common way to comment on the quality of an action. |
* **Example 3:** | * **Example 3:** |
* 王医生明天有三个**手术**要做。 | * 他刚动完**手术**,身体还很虚弱。 |
* Pinyin: Wáng yīshēng míngtiān yǒu sān gè **shǒushù** yào zuò. | * Pinyin: Tā gāng dòng wán **shǒushù**, shēntǐ hái hěn xūruò. |
* English: Dr. Wang has three surgeries to perform tomorrow. | * English: He just finished surgery, so his body is still very weak. |
* Analysis: This shows the doctor's perspective. Notice the structure: "have three surgeries **to do**" (`有三个手术要做`). | * Analysis: This example uses the verb `动 (dòng)`. `动完 (dòng wán)` means the operation is completed. |
* **Example 4:** | * **Example 4:** |
* 她刚做完心脏**手术**,正在康复中。 | * 这个**手术**的风险高吗? |
* Pinyin: Tā gāng zuò wán xīnzàng **shǒushù**, zhèngzài kāngfù zhōng. | * Pinyin: Zhège **shǒushù** de fēngxiǎn gāo ma? |
* English: She just finished heart surgery and is currently recovering. | * English: Are the risks of this surgery high? |
* Analysis: This example pairs `手术` with a specific type, `心脏 (xīnzàng)` or "heart," to form "heart surgery." | * Analysis: A very practical question. `手术的风险 (shǒushù de fēngxiǎn)` means "the surgery's risk." |
* **Example 5:** | * **Example 5:** |
* 这是一个很小的**手术**,你别太紧张。 | * **手术**安排在下周三上午。 |
* Pinyin: Zhè shì yī gè hěn xiǎo de **shǒushù**, nǐ bié tài jǐnzhāng. | * Pinyin: **Shǒushù** ānpái zài xià zhōusān shàngwǔ. |
* English: This is a very minor operation, don't be too nervous. | * English: The surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday morning. |
* Analysis: Demonstrates how `手术` can be described with adjectives like `小 (xiǎo)` for minor or `大 (dà)` for major. | * Analysis: A simple, declarative sentence showing how to talk about scheduling an operation. |
* **Example 6:** | * **Example 6:** |
* 我外婆下个月要动一个膝盖**手术**。 | * 她为了变美,决定去做整形**手术**。 |
* Pinyin: Wǒ wàipó xià gè yuè yào dòng yī gè xīgài **shǒushù**. | * Pinyin: Tā wèile biàn měi, juédìng qù zuò zhěngxíng **shǒushù**. |
* English: My grandma is going to have a knee operation next month. | * English: In order to become more beautiful, she decided to have plastic surgery. |
* Analysis: This uses the alternative verb `动手术 (dòng shǒushù)`, which is interchangeable with `做手术` in this context. | * Analysis: Shows the specific term for plastic surgery, `整形手术 (zhěngxíng shǒushù)`, used with the standard verb `做 (zuò)`. |
* **Example 7:** | * **Example 7:** |
* **手术**非常成功,病人很快就能出院了。 | * 病人正在**手术**室里接受**手术**。 |
* Pinyin: **Shǒushù** fēicháng chénggōng, bìngrén hěn kuài jiù néng chūyuàn le. | * Pinyin: Bìngrén zhèngzài **shǒushù**shì lǐ jiēshòu **shǒushù**. |
* English: The surgery was very successful, and the patient will be able to leave the hospital soon. | * English: The patient is currently in the operating room undergoing surgery. |
* Analysis: Shows how to talk about the outcome of the `手术` using `成功 (chénggōng)` for "successful." | * Analysis: This introduces the word for operating room, `手术室 (shǒushùshì)`. The verb here is `接受 (jiēshòu)`, meaning "to receive" or "to accept," which is a more formal way to say undergo. |
* **Example 8:** | * **Example 8:** |
* 在**手术**前,病人必须签署同意书。 | * 一想到明天要动**手术**,我就紧张得睡不着。 |
* Pinyin: Zài **shǒushù** qián, bìngrén bìxū qiānshǔ tóngyì shū. | * Pinyin: Yī xiǎngdào míngtiān yào dòng **shǒushù**, wǒ jiù jǐnzhāng de shuìbuzháo. |
* English: Before the surgery, the patient must sign a consent form. | * English: As soon as I think about having surgery tomorrow, I get too nervous to sleep. |
* Analysis: `手术前 (shǒushù qián)` means "before the surgery," a common time marker. | * Analysis: This sentence captures the emotional aspect of facing surgery, using `动手术`. `一...就... (yī...jiù...)` is a useful pattern meaning "as soon as... then...". |
* **Example 9:** | * **Example 9:** |
* 经过家人商量,他决定不接受**手术**治疗。 | * **手术**后,你必须按时吃药。 |
* Pinyin: Jīngguò jiārén shāngliáng, tā juédìng bù jiēshòu **shǒushù** zhìliáo. | * Pinyin: **Shǒushù** hòu, nǐ bìxū ànshí chīyào. |
* English: After discussing with his family, he decided not to undergo surgical treatment. | * English: After the surgery, you must take your medicine on time. |
* Analysis: This uses the more formal `接受手术 (jiēshòu shǒushù)` and highlights the cultural point of family discussion (`家人商量`). | * Analysis: `手术后 (shǒushù hòu)` is a very common phrase meaning "post-operation" or "after surgery." |
* **Example 10:** | * **Example 10:** |
* 他的**手术**费用大概是多少? | * 这次**手术**需要全麻还是局麻? |
* Pinyin: Tā de **shǒushù** fèiyòng dàgài shì duōshǎo? | * Pinyin: Zhècì **shǒushù** xūyào quánmá háishì júmá? |
* English: Approximately how much is his surgery fee? | * English: Does this surgery require general anesthesia or local anesthesia? |
* Analysis: `手术费用 (shǒushù fèiyòng)` is a useful compound noun for "surgery cost/fee." | * Analysis: A practical and advanced question, introducing terms for anesthesia: `全麻 (quánmá)` for general and `局麻 (júmá)` for local. |
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
* **False Friend: "Operation"** | * **The Verb is Crucial:** The most common mistake for English speakers is to directly translate "I have surgery" as `我有手术 (wǒ yǒu shǒushù)`. This is incorrect. In Chinese, you don't "have" a surgery like you have a book. You "do" or "undergo" it. |
The English word "operation" is broad. It can refer to a business operation, a military operation, or a mathematical operation. The Chinese word `手术` is **strictly medical**. Using it for non-medical contexts is a common and sometimes comical mistake. | * **Incorrect:** `我明天有手术。` (wǒ míngtiān yǒu shǒushù.) |
* **Correct:** Military operation = `军事行动 (jūnshì xíngdòng)` | * **Correct:** `我明天要做手术。` (wǒ míngtiān yào zuò shǒushù.) |
* **Correct:** Business operations = `运营 (yùnyíng)` or `经营 (jīngyíng)` | * **Correct:** `我明天要动手术。` (wǒ míngtiān yào dòng shǒushù.) |
* **Incorrect:** `军队正在进行一个秘密手术。` (The army is conducting a secret surgery.) | * **`做手术` - Doctor vs. Patient:** The phrase `做手术 (zuò shǒushù)` is used for both the person performing the surgery and the person receiving it. Don't be confused by this; the context always makes the subject clear. |
* **Why it's wrong:** This sentence sounds like soldiers are secretly performing medical procedures. The correct word would be `行动 (xíngdòng)`. | * `医生在做手术。` (The doctor is performing surgery.) |
* **Using the Right Verb** | * `我在做手术。` (I am having surgery.) |
Learners sometimes try to use `有 (yǒu)` to say "have surgery." This is incorrect. In Chinese, you "do" (`做 zuò`) or "move/start" (`动 dòng`) a surgery. | |
* **Incorrect:** `我下周有一个手术。` (While grammatically understandable, it's unnatural. It sounds like you possess a surgery, rather than undergo it.) | |
* **Correct:** `我下周要做一个手术。` (I am going to have a surgery next week.) | |
===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
* [[开刀]] (kāidāo) - Literally "to open with a knife." A more colloquial and slightly more graphic term for having surgery. It's often used interchangeably with `做手术` in casual conversation. | * [[开刀]] (kāidāo) - A more colloquial term for surgery, literally meaning "to open with a knife." It's very common in spoken language but less formal than `手术`. |
* [[外科]] (wàikē) - Surgery (as a medical department). `外科医生 (wàikē yīshēng)` is a surgeon. This is the department where a `手术` is performed. | * [[医生]] (yīshēng) - Doctor. The professional who performs a `手术`. |
* [[治疗]] (zhìliáo) - Treatment. `手术` is one type of `治疗`. Others include `药物治疗 (yàowù zhìliáo)` (medication) or `物理治疗 (wùlǐ zhìliáo)` (physical therapy). | * [[医院]] (yīyuàn) - Hospital. The location where a `手术` is typically performed. |
* [[麻醉]] (mázuì) - Anesthesia. The process of numbing a patient for a `手术`. `麻醉师 (mázuì shī)` is an anesthesiologist. | * [[病人]] (bìngrén) - Patient. The person who undergoes a `手术`. |
* [[病人]] (bìngrén) - Patient. The person who receives the `手术`. | * [[看病]] (kànbìng) - To see a doctor. The process that might lead to a diagnosis requiring a `手术`. |
* [[康复]] (kāngfù) - To recover, recuperate. The process that happens after a successful `手术`. | * [[住院]] (zhùyuàn) - To be hospitalized. This is often required before and after a major `手术`. |
* [[住院]] (zhùyuàn) - To be hospitalized. You usually need to `住院` to have a major `手术`. | * [[麻醉]] (mázuì) - Anesthesia. An essential component of most surgeries. |
* [[诊断]] (zhěnduàn) - Diagnosis. The medical conclusion that often leads to the decision to perform a `手术`. | * [[康复]] (kāngfù) - To recover; rehabilitation. The process that follows a `手术`. |