tǐjiǎn: 体检 - Physical Examination, Medical Checkup

• Keywords: 体检, tǐjiǎn, physical examination in China, medical checkup in Chinese, health check, get a physical, Chinese vocabulary, HSK 4, Chinese medical terms, 入职体检, 年度体检.
• Summary: “体检” (tǐjiǎn) is the essential Chinese word for a medical checkup, health screening, or physical examination. It refers specifically to a preventative checkup done when you are feeling healthy, not when you are sick. Understanding “体检” is crucial for navigating life in China, from company-sponsored annual checkups (年度体检) to pre-employment screenings (入职体检). This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tǐ jiǎn
• Part of Speech: Noun (can sometimes function as a verb-object phrase)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A physical examination or medical checkup, typically for preventative purposes.
• In a Nutshell: Think of “体检” as a routine check on your body's systems, like taking your car in for scheduled maintenance. You do it to find potential problems before they become serious. It's distinct from going to the doctor because you have symptoms of an illness.

• 体 (tǐ): This character's core meaning is “body” or “form.” It's a fundamental character used in words related to the physical self, like `身体 (shēntǐ)` for “body” and `体育 (tǐyù)` for “physical education.”
• 检 (jiǎn): This character means “to check,” “to inspect,” or “to examine.” You can see it in words like `检查 (jiǎnchá)`, which also means “to check.”

When combined, 体 (body) + 检 (check) literally means “body check,” a very logical and easy-to-remember construction for a physical examination.

In the West, an annual physical is often a one-on-one appointment with a family doctor (GP) you've known for years. In China, the concept of a “体检” has evolved into a highly efficient, and sometimes impersonal, process. Many large companies offer a yearly “体检” as a standard employee benefit. Instead of a hospital, employees are often sent to a dedicated 体检中心 (tǐjiǎn zhōngxīn), or “health check center.” These centers operate like a well-oiled assembly line. You receive a checklist and move from station to station for different tests: blood draw, ultrasound, EKG, vision test, etc. While efficient, it can feel less personal than the Western GP experience. This practice reflects a growing emphasis on preventative health in modern China, a value that resonates with traditional Chinese medicine's focus on maintaining balance and harmony within the body. However, the “体检” itself is a thoroughly modern, Western-style medical practice. It's a key part of the health system for urban professionals, students applying for university, or anyone needing a certificate of health for a job or license.

“体检” is most often used as a noun, usually with the verb 做 (zuò), meaning “to do.”

• 做体检 (zuò tǐjiǎn): The most common phrase, meaning “to have a physical checkup.”
• 年度体检 (niándù tǐjiǎn): An annual physical.
• 入职体检 (rùzhí tǐjiǎn): A pre-employment physical required by many companies before you can officially start work.
• 体检报告 (tǐjiǎn bàogào): The physical examination report with all your results.

While technically a noun, Chinese speakers often use it in a way that feels like a verb, for example, “我明天去体检 (Wǒ míngtiān qù tǐjiǎn),” which literally means “I tomorrow go physical-checkup,” but is understood as “I'm going for a physical tomorrow.”

• Example 1:
  • 公司每年都为我们安排一次体检。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī měi nián dōu wèi wǒmen ānpái yí cì tǐjiǎn.
  • English: The company arranges a physical examination for us every year.
  • Analysis: This is a very common scenario for white-collar workers in China. “安排 (ānpái)” means “to arrange.”
• Example 2:
  • 医生建议我做一个全面的体检。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì wǒ zuò yí ge quánmiàn de tǐjiǎn.
  • English: The doctor suggested I get a comprehensive medical checkup.
  • Analysis: `全面 (quánmiàn)` means “comprehensive” or “all-around,” indicating a more thorough checkup than a basic one.
• Example 3:
  • 你今年的体检做了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jīnnián de tǐjiǎn zuòle ma?
  • English: Have you had your physical this year?
  • Analysis: A perfect example of casual conversation. The structure is “[Your this-year's physical] + [did you do it]?”.
• Example 4:
  • 我的体检报告出来了，一切都正常。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de tǐjiǎn bàogào chūlái le, yíqiè dōu zhèngcháng.
  • English: My checkup report is out, and everything is normal.
  • Analysis: `报告 (bàogào)` means “report.” `一切都正常 (yíqiè dōu zhèngcháng)` is a great phrase to know, meaning “everything is normal.”
• Example 5:
  • 考驾照之前，你需要去体检。
  • Pinyin: Kǎo jiàzhào zhīqián, nǐ xūyào qù tǐjiǎn.
  • English: Before you take the driver's license test, you need to go for a physical.
  • Analysis: This shows a specific, required use of a “体检” to get a health certificate. `驾照 (jiàzhào)` is a driver's license.
• Example 6:
  • 新员工入职前必须先完成入职体检。
  • Pinyin: Xīn yuángōng rùzhí qián bìxū xiān wánchéng rùzhí tǐjiǎn.
  • English: New employees must first complete the pre-employment physical before starting work.
  • Analysis: This introduces the specific term `入职体检 (rùzhí tǐjiǎn)`. `入职 (rùzhí)` means “to start a job.”
• Example 7:
  • 这个体检中心的环境和服务都很好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge tǐjiǎn zhōngxīn de huánjìng hé fúwù dōu hěn hǎo.
  • English: The environment and service at this health check center are both very good.
  • Analysis: Highlights the common location for checkups, the `体检中心 (tǐjiǎn zhōngxīn)`.
• Example 8:
  • 我明天上午要去医院体检。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān shàngwǔ yào qù yīyuàn tǐjiǎn.
  • English: I'm going to the hospital tomorrow morning to get a checkup.
  • Analysis: Here, `体检` acts like a verb-object, where the purpose of going `去 (qù)` is the action of `体检`.
• Example 9:
  • 为了健康，定期体检是非常重要的。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiànkāng, dìngqī tǐjiǎn shì fēicháng zhòngyào de.
  • English: For the sake of health, regular medical checkups are very important.
  • Analysis: `定期 (dìngqī)` means “regularly” or “at fixed intervals.” This sentence expresses the value of preventative health.
• Example 10:
  • 这次体检包含哪些项目？
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì tǐjiǎn bāohán nǎxiē xiàngmù?
  • English: What items are included in this physical exam?
  • Analysis: A very practical question to ask at a checkup center. `项目 (xiàngmù)` means “item” or “project,” and here refers to the individual tests.

The most critical mistake for learners is confusing 体检 (tǐjiǎn) with 看病 (kànbìng).

• 体检 (tǐjiǎn): A preventative checkup when you are healthy. Its purpose is screening.
• 看病 (kànbìng): To see a doctor when you are sick. Its purpose is diagnosis and treatment.

Think of it this way: You schedule a `体检`. You go to `看病` when you suddenly feel unwell.

• Correct: 我感觉不舒服，我要去看病。 (Wǒ gǎnjué bù shūfu, wǒ yào qù kànbìng.) - I don't feel well, I need to see a doctor.
• Incorrect: 我感觉不舒服，我要去体检。 (Wǒ gǎnjué bù shūfu, wǒ yào qù tǐjiǎn.)
• Why it's wrong: This is like telling someone “I have the flu, so I'm going for my annual physical.” It confuses the purpose. You go for a `体检` to *prevent* getting sick, and you go to `看病` *because* you are sick.

• 检查 (jiǎnchá) - To check, inspect. A more general term. A doctor might `检查` your throat during a `看病` appointment, and a `体检` consists of many different `检查`.
• 看病 (kànbìng) - To see a doctor (when you are sick). The counterpart to `体检`.
• 健康 (jiànkāng) - Health; healthy. The goal of doing a `体检` is to maintain your `健康`.
• 医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor. The professional who analyzes your `体检` report.
• 医院 (yīyuàn) - Hospital. A place where you can both `看病` and get a `体检`.
• 体检中心 (tǐjiǎn zhōngxīn) - A dedicated physical examination center, often separate from a hospital.
• 报告 (bàogào) - Report. You receive a `体检报告` after your checkup.
• 年度体检 (niándù tǐjiǎn) - Annual physical exam. A more specific type of `体检`.
• 入职体检 (rùzhí tǐjiǎn) - Pre-employment physical. A specific `体检` required for a new job.