In Chinese culture, 健康 (jiànkāng) is arguably the most important life goal, often considered more valuable than wealth or fame. Its meaning is deeply rooted in principles of balance and harmony found in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and philosophies like Daoism. Unlike the Western tendency to separate physical and mental health, 健康 is inherently holistic. It's about the smooth flow of `气 (qì)` (vital energy) and the balance between `阴 (yīn)` and `阳 (yáng)`. This is why diet (`食疗 shíliáo` - food therapy) and lifestyle practices like Tai Chi (`太极 tàijí`) and `养生 (yǎngshēng)` (life nourishment) are central to maintaining 健康. A common Western concept is “fitness,” often measured by metrics like muscle mass, BMI, or running speed. While related, 健康 is much broader. A person might be very “fit” but considered not fully 健康 if they are overworked, stressed, or have a poor diet, as this disrupts their internal balance. The ultimate expression of care for another person in Chinese culture is often not “I hope you're successful,” but “I hope you are healthy” (`祝你身体健康 zhù nǐ shēntǐ jiànkāng`).
健康 is a high-frequency word used in a wide range of contexts.