zhěnduàn: 诊断 - Diagnosis, To Diagnose

• Keywords: zhěnduàn, zhenduan, 诊断, diagnose Chinese, medical diagnosis in Chinese, Chinese for doctor, symptoms in Chinese, Chinese medical terms, getting a diagnosis in China, HSK 5
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 诊断 (zhěnduàn), meaning “diagnosis” or “to diagnose.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context in both modern and traditional Chinese medicine, and practical use. Whether you're navigating the healthcare system in China, discussing a technical problem, or studying for the HSK 5, understanding zhěnduàn is crucial for clear and accurate communication.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhěn duàn
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To identify the nature of an illness or problem by examining the symptoms.
• In a Nutshell: 诊断 (zhěnduàn) is the formal and standard term for “diagnosis.” Think of it as the official conclusion a doctor reaches after an examination. It's a serious, precise word used not only in medicine but also metaphorically for pinpointing the root cause of any complex problem, like a bug in software or a flaw in a business strategy.

• 诊 (zhěn): This character is composed of the “speech” radical (言) and a phonetic component. The radical suggests inquiry and communication. In this context, 诊 means “to examine a patient” or “to consult,” often involving asking questions about their condition.
• 断 (duàn): This character is a combination of “silk threads” (幺) being cut by an “axe” (斤). Its core meaning is “to break,” “to sever,” or, by extension, “to make a firm judgment or decision.”

The two characters combine powerfully: 诊 (to examine) + 断 (to make a judgment) = 诊断 (to examine and then make a decisive judgment about the cause of a problem). This perfectly captures the two-step process of diagnosis.

The term 诊断 (zhěnduàn) is a bridge between two worlds in China: modern Western medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). While 诊断 is the standard term used in hospitals for biomedical diagnoses (e.g., “The diagnosis is influenza”), it is also used within the TCM framework. A TCM practitioner performs a unique diagnostic process known as 望闻问切 (wàng wén wèn qiè) - observing, listening/smelling, inquiring, and feeling the pulse. Their conclusion, perhaps “liver qi stagnation” (肝气郁结), is also formally called a 诊断. This contrasts with the West, where “diagnosis” almost exclusively implies a biomedical conclusion. In China, the use of 诊断 for both systems reflects a society where modern and traditional health practices coexist, though the authority and process of each are distinct. Receiving a 诊断 from a doctor (医生) carries significant weight, as medical expertise is highly respected in Chinese culture. The diagnosis is not just a label; it's the critical first step that dictates the entire course of treatment (治疗, zhìliáo).

诊断 (zhěnduàn) is a versatile term, primarily used in formal contexts. 1. Medical Context (Most Common) This is its primary domain. It can be used as a verb (“to diagnose”) or a noun (“a diagnosis”). It appears on medical reports, in conversations with doctors, and when discussing health issues seriously.

• Verb: 医生 诊断 我得了流感。(Yīshēng zhěnduàn wǒ déle liúgǎn.) - The doctor diagnosed me with the flu.
• Noun: 他的 诊断 结果是什么？(Tā de zhěnduàn jiéguǒ shì shénme?) - What was his diagnosis result?

2. Technical and Business Context (Metaphorical) The term is frequently extended to mean “diagnosing” a non-medical problem. This usage is common in IT, engineering, and business consulting. It implies a systematic, expert analysis to find a root cause.

• IT: 工程师正在 诊断 服务器的故障。(Gōngchéngshī zhèngzài zhěnduàn fúwùqì de gùzhàng.) - The engineer is diagnosing the server malfunction.
• Business: 我们需要 诊断 公司利润下降的原因。(Wǒmen xūyào zhěnduàn gōngsī lìrùn xiàjiàng de yuányīn.) - We need to diagnose the reason for the company's drop in profits.

The connotation is always neutral to serious and formal. You would not use it for casual opinions.

• Example 1:
• 医生给我做了详细检查，但还没给出明确的诊断。
• Pinyin: Yīshēng gěi wǒ zuòle xiángxì jiǎnchá, dàn hái méi gěichū míngquè de zhěnduàn.
• English: The doctor gave me a detailed examination, but hasn't given a clear diagnosis yet.
• Analysis: This shows the relationship between `检查 (jiǎnchá)` - examination, and `诊断 (zhěnduàn)` - diagnosis. The examination comes first.
• Example 2:
• 拿到诊断报告后，他终于松了一口气。
• Pinyin: Nádào zhěnduàn bàogào hòu, tā zhōngyú sōngle yī kǒu qì.
• English: After getting the diagnosis report, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
• Analysis: Here, `诊断` is used as a noun, part of the compound `诊断报告 (zhěnduàn bàogào)`, or “diagnosis report.”
• Example 3:
• 王医生非常擅长诊断罕见病。
• Pinyin: Wáng yīshēng fēicháng shàncháng zhěnduàn hǎnjiàn bìng.
• English: Dr. Wang is very skilled at diagnosing rare diseases.
• Analysis: This uses `诊断` as a verb, highlighting a doctor's skill in this specific action.
• Example 4:
• 初步诊断是肺炎，需要做进一步的CT扫描来确诊。
• Pinyin: Chūbù zhěnduàn shì fèiyán, xūyào zuò jìnyībù de CT sǎomiáo lái quèzhěn.
• English: The preliminary diagnosis is pneumonia; a further CT scan is needed to confirm it.
• Analysis: This introduces `初步诊断 (chūbù zhěnduàn)` - preliminary diagnosis, a common phrase in medical settings. It also contrasts it with `确诊 (quèzhěn)` - to confirm a diagnosis.
• Example 5:
• 你不能只根据网上的信息就自己下诊断。
• Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng zhǐ gēnjù wǎngshàng de xìnxī jiù zìjǐ xià zhěnduàn.
• English: You can't just diagnose yourself based on information online.
• Analysis: `下诊断 (xià zhěnduàn)` is a common collocation meaning “to issue a diagnosis” or “to make a diagnosis.”
• Example 6:
• 公司的财务顾问诊断出我们的主要问题是现金流不足。
• Pinyin: Gōngsī de cáiwù gùwèn zhěnduàn chū wǒmen de zhǔyào wèntí shì xiànjīnliú bùzú.
• English: The company's financial consultant diagnosed that our main problem is insufficient cash flow.
• Analysis: A perfect example of the metaphorical use of `诊断` in a business context.
• Example 7:
• 这个软件可以自动诊断并修复系统错误。
• Pinyin: Zhège ruǎnjiàn kěyǐ zìdòng zhěnduàn bìng xiūfù xìtǒng cuòwù.
• English: This software can automatically diagnose and repair system errors.
• Analysis: Shows the technical, IT-related usage of the term.
• Example 8:
• 如果你对诊断结果有疑问，可以寻求第二医疗意见。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ duì zhěnduàn jiéguǒ yǒu yíwèn, kěyǐ xúnqiú dì-èr yīliáo yìjiàn.
• English: If you have doubts about the diagnosis result, you can seek a second medical opinion.
• Analysis: `诊断结果 (zhěnduàn jiéguǒ)` means “diagnosis result,” a very common and useful phrase.
• Example 9:
• 中医的诊断方法和西医有很大不同。
• Pinyin: Zhōngyī de zhěnduàn fāngfǎ hé xīyī yǒu hěn dà bùtóng.
• English: The diagnostic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western medicine are very different.
• Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the cultural point of how `诊断` applies to both medical systems.
• Example 10:
• 错误的诊断可能会导致严重的后果。
• Pinyin: Cuòwù de zhěnduàn kěnéng huì dǎozhì yánzhòng de hòuguǒ.
• English: A wrong diagnosis could lead to serious consequences.
• Analysis: Here, `诊断` is used as a noun, modified by `错误 (cuòwù)` - wrong/mistaken. The official term for this is `误诊 (wùzhěn)`.

• `诊断 (zhěnduàn)` vs. `看病 (kànbìng)`: This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
  • `看病 (kànbìng)` means “to see a doctor.” It's the action of going to the clinic or hospital.
  • `诊断 (zhěnduàn)` is the *result* of seeing the doctor; their professional conclusion.
  • Correct: 我今天下午要去看病。(Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yào qù kànbìng.) - I have to see a doctor this afternoon.
  • Incorrect: 我今天下午要去做一个诊断。(Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ yào qù zuò yí ge zhěnduàn.) - While understandable, it's more natural to say you're going to see a doctor. The diagnosis is what you get, not what you *do*.
• `诊断 (zhěnduàn)` vs. `检查 (jiǎnchá)`: These two are sequential.
  • `检查 (jiǎnchá)` means “examination” or “test” (like a blood test or X-ray). It's the process of gathering information.
  • `诊断 (zhěnduàn)` is the conclusion based on the results of the `检查`.
  • Correct: 医生说，我需要先做一些检查，然后才能给我诊断。(Yīshēng shuō, wǒ xūyào xiān zuò yīxiē jiǎnchá, ránhòu cáinéng gěi wǒ zhěnduàn.) - The doctor said I first need to do some tests, and only then can they give me a diagnosis.

• 看病 (kànbìng) - To see a doctor. The action a patient takes to get a `诊断`.
• 检查 (jiǎnchá) - Examination; test. The procedures a doctor uses to make a `诊断`.
• 症状 (zhèngzhuàng) - Symptoms. The evidence and clues used for a `诊断`.
• 治疗 (zhìliáo) - To treat; treatment. The plan of action that follows a `诊断`.
• 确诊 (quèzhěn) - To confirm a diagnosis. A final, definite `诊断`, often after more tests.
• 误诊 (wùzhěn) - Misdiagnosis. An incorrect `诊断`.
• 医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor. The professional who gives a `诊断`.
• 病历 (bìnglì) - Medical record. The official document where the `诊断` is written down.
• 处方 (chǔfāng) - Prescription. The medication or therapy ordered based on the `诊断`.
• 望闻问切 (wàng wén wèn qiè) - The four methods of diagnosis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (observing, listening/smelling, inquiring, and pulse-taking).