tànbìng: 探病 - To Visit a Sick Person

• Keywords: tanbing, 探病, visit a sick person in Chinese, visit a patient Chinese, Chinese hospital visit, Chinese culture visiting sick, what to bring when visiting someone sick in China, 探望 (tànwàng), 看病 (kànbìng) vs 探病 (tànbìng)
• Summary: Learn how to say “visit a sick person” in Chinese with the essential term 探病 (tànbìng). This guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring the deep cultural significance of visiting patients in China, including proper etiquette, what gifts to bring, and what to say. Understand the difference between `探病` (visiting a patient) and `看病` (seeing a doctor) to avoid common mistakes and show genuine care and respect in any situation.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tànbìng
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To make a special visit to someone who is ill, typically in a hospital or at their home.
• In a Nutshell: `探病` is the specific act of visiting a sick person. It's not just a casual drop-in; it's a significant social gesture in Chinese culture that demonstrates concern, strengthens relationships (`关系 - guānxi`), and shows respect. The act itself is a powerful expression of care.

• 探 (tàn): This character means “to explore,” “to seek,” or “to inquire.” The hand radical on the left (扌) signifies an action performed with the hands, and the right side provides the sound. Think of it as actively seeking out information or checking on a situation.
• 病 (bìng): This character means “illness,” “sickness,” or “disease.” The “sickness” radical (疒) is a key indicator, visually representing a person lying in bed.
• When combined, `探病` literally translates to “to inquire about an illness.” This beautifully captures the purpose of the visit: to check on the person's condition and offer support, making it the perfect term for “visiting a sick person.”

`探病` is a cornerstone of expressing care and maintaining social harmony in Chinese culture. While a text message or phone call is appreciated in the West, for many situations in China—especially involving family, close friends, or important colleagues—a physical visit is often expected and valued far more.

• Comparison to Western Culture: In the US or Europe, visiting a sick person can be a private affair, and sometimes a simple “get well soon” card is sufficient. In China, `探病` is a more public and ritualized act of social duty. Not visiting a close relative or an important superior in the hospital could be seen as a sign of disrespect or a lack of care, potentially damaging the relationship.
• Gifts and Etiquette: The act is accompanied by specific customs.
  • What to bring: Fruit baskets (especially apples, symbolizing peace), flowers (avoiding white, which is for funerals), or nutritional supplements are common. The gift shows you've put thought into the person's well-being and recovery.
  • What NOT to bring: Pears (梨, lí) are a major taboo, as the word sounds identical to “to separate” (离, lí). Giving a clock (送钟, sòng zhōng) is the ultimate taboo, as it sounds identical to “attending a funeral” (送终, sòngzhōng).
  • What to say: Conversations are usually light and encouraging. You focus on wishing them a speedy recovery (`祝你早日康复 - zhù nǐ zǎorì kāngfù`) and avoid discussing depressing topics. The goal is to lift their spirits, not dwell on the illness.
• Underlying Values: This practice is deeply tied to the values of collectivism and `关心 (guānxīn)`, or “concern.” It's a tangible way to show that the person is a valued member of the family, friend group, or company, and that their well-being matters to the collective.

`探病` is a very common activity in daily life.

• In Conversation: People will directly say they are going to `探病`. For example, “I can't make it this afternoon, I have to go `探病`.”
• Workplace: It's very common for colleagues or a manager to visit an employee who is hospitalized. This is an important act of team-building and shows the company's “human touch.” A manager might say, “Let's go `探病` together after work.”
• Formality: The term itself is neutral in formality. The context, your relationship with the patient, and your actions during the visit determine the level of formality. Visiting your boss requires more formal behavior than visiting a childhood friend.
• Modern Changes: While video calls are now a convenient option, especially during health crises or for those far away, the in-person `探病` still holds a special significance and is preferred when possible.

• Example 1:
  • 我下午要去医院探病。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiàwǔ yào qù yīyuàn tànbìng.
  • English: I'm going to the hospital to visit a sick person this afternoon.
  • Analysis: This is the most basic and common usage of the term, stating the intention to perform the action.
• Example 2:
  • 我们买点水果去探李老师的病吧。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen mǎi diǎn shuǐguǒ qù tàn Lǐ lǎoshī de bìng ba.
  • English: Let's buy some fruit and go visit the sick Teacher Li.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how `探病` can be split. The verb is `探` (to visit/inquire) and the object is `病` (illness). Here, the object is made more specific: “Teacher Li's illness.”
• Example 3:
  • 听说你住院了，我今天特地来探病。
  • Pinyin: Tīngshuō nǐ zhùyuàn le, wǒ jīntiān tèdì lái tànbìng.
  • English: I heard you were hospitalized, so I made a special trip to visit you today.
  • Analysis: `特地 (tèdì)` means “specially” or “for a special purpose,” emphasizing the deliberate effort and care behind the visit.
• Example 4:
  • 探病的时候，说话要注意，多说些开心的事情。
  • Pinyin: Tànbìng de shíhou, shuōhuà yào zhùyì, duō shuō xiē kāixīn de shìqing.
  • English: When visiting a sick person, be mindful of what you say, and talk more about happy things.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides cultural advice, using `探病` as the topic of the sentence.
• Example 5:
  • 老板生病了，我们应该派个代表去探病。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn shēngbìng le, wǒmen yīnggāi pài ge dàibiǎo qù tànbìng.
  • English: The boss is sick; we should send a representative to visit him.
  • Analysis: This shows a common workplace scenario. `派 (pài)` means to send or dispatch, highlighting the formal nature of the visit.
• Example 6:
  • 他病得不重，你不用专程来探病，打个电话就行了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bìng de bù zhòng, nǐ bùyòng zhuānchéng lái tànbìng, dǎ ge diànhuà jiù xíng le.
  • English: He isn't seriously ill, you don't need to make a special trip to visit, a phone call will be fine.
  • Analysis: `专程 (zhuānchéng)` is similar to `特地`, meaning a trip made for a specific purpose. This shows how someone might politely decline a visit.
• Example 7:
  • 按照我们这里的习俗，探病不能送梨。
  • Pinyin: Ànzhào wǒmen zhèlǐ de xísú, tànbìng bùnéng sòng lí.
  • English: According to our local customs, you can't give pears as a gift when visiting a sick person.
  • Analysis: This directly addresses the cultural taboos associated with `探病`.
• Example 8:
  • 谢谢你来探病，让你费心了。
  • Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ lái tànbìng, ràng nǐ fèixīn le.
  • English: Thank you for coming to visit, I've troubled you to be so thoughtful.
  • Analysis: This is a polite response from the patient. `费心了 (fèixīn le)` is a common phrase to thank someone for their effort and consideration.
• Example 9:
  • 医院规定下午三点到五点是探病时间。
  • Pinyin: Yīyuàn guīdìng xiàwǔ sān diǎn dào wǔ diǎn shì tànbìng shíjiān.
  • English: The hospital's regulations state that visiting hours are from 3 to 5 PM.
  • Analysis: `探病时间 (tànbìng shíjiān)` is the standard term for “hospital visiting hours.”
• Example 10:
  • 探病回来，我的心情有点沉重。
  • Pinyin: Tànbìng huílái, wǒ de xīnqíng yǒudiǎn chénzhòng.
  • English: After coming back from visiting the sick person, my mood is a bit heavy.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the emotional impact the visit can have on the visitor.

The biggest pitfall for English speakers is confusing `探病 (tànbìng)` with the similar-sounding `看病 (kànbìng)`. Their meanings are completely different and mixing them up will lead to major confusion.

• `探病 (tànbìng)` = To VISIT a sick person. (You are the visitor.)
• `看病 (kànbìng)` = To SEE a doctor. (You are the patient.)

Incorrect Usage:

• `我今天不舒服，要去医院探病。` (Wǒ jīntiān bù shūfu, yào qù yīyuàn tànbìng.)
  • Why it's wrong: This literally means “I'm not feeling well today, I need to go to the hospital to visit a sick person.” The listener would be very confused.
  • Correct: 我今天不舒服，要去医院看病。(Wǒ jīntiān bù shūfu, yào qù yīyuàn kànbìng.)

Incorrect Usage:

• `我去看我朋友，他正在看病。` (Wǒ qù kàn wǒ péngyou, tā zhèngzài kànbìng.)
  • Why it's wrong: While grammatically okay, `去看我朋友` is general. `探病` is more precise and natural if your friend is sick. The sentence is understandable but not what a native speaker would typically say.
  • More Natural: 我要去探望我朋友，他生病了。(Wǒ yào qù tànwàng wǒ péngyou, tā shēngbìng le.) or 我要去探病。 (Wǒ yào qù tànbìng.)

• 探望 (tànwàng) - A slightly more general term for “to visit,” often used for sick people, elders, or relatives you haven't seen in a while. `探望病人 (tànwàng bìngrén)` is a common synonym for `探病`.
• 看望 (kànwàng) - Very similar to `探望`, meaning “to visit” or “call on.” Interchangeable with `探望` in many contexts.
• 看病 (kànbìng) - CRUCIAL DISTINCTION. This means “to see a doctor” from the patient's perspective. It is the antonym in action to `探病`.
• 病人 (bìngrén) - The “patient” or “sick person” who is the recipient of the `探病` visit.
• 住院 (zhùyuàn) - To be hospitalized. This is the most common situation that necessitates a `探病` visit.
• 关心 (guānxīn) - The feeling of “care” or “concern” that is the primary motivation for `探病`.
• 慰问 (wèiwèn) - A more formal term meaning “to express sympathy or condolences.” You can `慰问病人` (express sympathy to a patient).
• 康复 (kāngfù) - To recover from an illness. The ultimate wish you have for the person you are visiting. `祝你早日康复` (Zhù nǐ zǎorì kāngfù) is the most common get-well-soon phrase.
• 礼品 (lǐpǐn) - “Gifts.” Bringing an appropriate `礼品` is a key part of the `探病` custom.