手术

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shǒushù: 手术 - Surgery, Operation

Quick Summary

  • 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: 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

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shǒushù
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: A medical procedure involving incision or manipulation of the body; a surgery or an operation.
  • 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

  • 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): 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.
  • 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

  • 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.
  • 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.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 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.
  • 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.”
  • 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).
  • 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.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 医生说我需要做个小手术。
    • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō wǒ xūyào zuò ge xiǎo shǒushù.
    • English: The doctor said I need to have a minor operation.
    • 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:
    • 张医生的手术做得非常成功。
    • Pinyin: Zhāng yīshēng de shǒushù zuò de fēicháng chénggōng.
    • English: Dr. Zhang's surgery was performed very successfully.
    • 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:
    • 他刚动完手术，身体还很虚弱。
    • Pinyin: Tā gāng dòng wán shǒushù, shēntǐ hái hěn xūruò.
    • English: He just finished surgery, so his body is still very weak.
    • Analysis: This example uses the verb `动 (dòng)`. `动完 (dòng wán)` means the operation is completed.
  • Example 4:
    • 这个手术的风险高吗？
    • Pinyin: Zhège shǒushù de fēngxiǎn gāo ma?
    • English: Are the risks of this surgery high?
    • Analysis: A very practical question. `手术的风险 (shǒushù de fēngxiǎn)` means “the surgery's risk.”
  • Example 5:
    • 手术安排在下周三上午。
    • Pinyin: Shǒushù ānpái zài xià zhōusān shàngwǔ.
    • English: The surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday morning.
    • Analysis: A simple, declarative sentence showing how to talk about scheduling an operation.
  • Example 6:
    • 她为了变美，决定去做整形手术。
    • Pinyin: Tā wèile biàn měi, juédìng qù zuò zhěngxíng shǒushù.
    • English: In order to become more beautiful, she decided to have plastic surgery.
    • Analysis: Shows the specific term for plastic surgery, `整形手术 (zhěngxíng shǒushù)`, used with the standard verb `做 (zuò)`.
  • Example 7:
    • 病人正在手术室里接受手术。
    • Pinyin: Bìngrén zhèngzài shǒushùshì lǐ jiēshòu shǒushù.
    • English: The patient is currently in the operating room undergoing surgery.
    • 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:
    • 一想到明天要动手术，我就紧张得睡不着。
    • Pinyin: Yī xiǎngdào míngtiān yào dòng shǒushù, wǒ jiù jǐnzhāng de shuìbuzháo.
    • English: As soon as I think about having surgery tomorrow, I get too nervous to sleep.
    • 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:
    • 手术后，你必须按时吃药。
    • Pinyin: Shǒushù hòu, nǐ bìxū ànshí chīyào.
    • English: After the surgery, you must take your medicine on time.
    • Analysis: `手术后 (shǒushù hòu)` is a very common phrase meaning “post-operation” or “after surgery.”
  • Example 10:
    • 这次手术需要全麻还是局麻？
    • Pinyin: Zhècì shǒushù xūyào quánmá háishì júmá?
    • English: Does this surgery require general anesthesia or local anesthesia?
    • 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

  • 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.
    • Incorrect: `我明天有手术。` (wǒ míngtiān yǒu shǒushù.)
    • Correct: `我明天要做手术。` (wǒ míngtiān yào zuò shǒushù.)
    • Correct: `我明天要动手术。` (wǒ míngtiān yào dòng shǒushù.)
  • `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.
    • `医生在做手术。` (The doctor is performing surgery.)
    • `我在做手术。` (I am having surgery.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 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`.
  • 医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor. The professional who performs a `手术`.
  • 医院 (yīyuàn) - Hospital. The location where a `手术` is typically performed.
  • 病人 (bìngrén) - Patient. The person who undergoes a `手术`.
  • 看病 (kànbìng) - To see a doctor. The process that might lead to a diagnosis requiring a `手术`.
  • 住院 (zhùyuàn) - To be hospitalized. This is often required before and after a major `手术`.
  • 麻醉 (mázuì) - Anesthesia. An essential component of most surgeries.
  • 康复 (kāngfù) - To recover; rehabilitation. The process that follows a `手术`.