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kànyīshēng: 看医生 - To See a Doctor
Quick Summary
- Keywords: 看医生, kàn yīshēng, see a doctor in Chinese, go to the doctor, getting sick in China, Chinese for medical help, hospital in Chinese, book a doctor's appointment in Chinese, how to say see a doctor.
- Summary: “看医生” (kàn yīshēng) is the essential Mandarin Chinese phrase for “to see a doctor.” Literally meaning “to look at the doctor,” this term is the standard and most common way to describe any medical consultation, from a routine check-up to an urgent hospital visit. Understanding how to use “看医生” is a fundamental skill for anyone living or traveling in China, as it's the key to navigating the healthcare system.
Core Meaning
- Pinyin (with tone marks): kàn yīshēng
- Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase
- HSK Level: HSK 2
- Concise Definition: To see a doctor; to consult a physician.
- In a Nutshell: “看医生” is the direct and universal phrase for going to see a medical professional. It's a set verb-object phrase where `看` (kàn) is the verb “to see” and `医生` (yīshēng) is the object “doctor.” Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of “to go to the doctor's.” It's used in every context, whether you're telling your boss you're sick or telling a friend about your symptoms.
Character Breakdown
- 看 (kàn): This character's primary meaning is “to look,” “to see,” or “to watch.” The top part is a hand (手) over an eye (目), vividly picturing the act of shielding one's eyes to get a better look. In this context, it takes on the meaning of “to visit for a specific purpose” or “to consult.”
- 医 (yī): This character means “medicine” or “medical.” Its ancient forms