zhěnduàn: 诊断 - Diagnosis, To Diagnose

• Keywords: zhěnduàn, 诊断, diagnose Chinese, diagnosis in Chinese, medical diagnosis Chinese, how to say diagnose in Chinese, Chinese medical terms, troubleshoot Chinese, HSK 5
• Summary: “诊断 (zhěnduàn)” is the primary Chinese word for “diagnosis” or “to diagnose.” While its core use is in a medical context, like a doctor identifying an illness, it's also widely used metaphorically to describe troubleshooting problems with technology, business, or systems. This versatile term implies a formal, analytical process of examination to determine a root cause, making it a key vocabulary word for professional and technical discussions in Mandarin.

• 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 examination; a diagnosis.
• In a Nutshell: “诊断 (zhěnduàn)” is the word for the professional judgment made after a careful investigation. Think of a doctor looking at symptoms and test results to name an illness, or a mechanic listening to an engine to figure out what's wrong. It’s not a guess; it’s a conclusion based on evidence.

• 诊 (zhěn): This character is about investigation. The left part, 讠(yán), is the “speech” radical, representing asking questions. The right part, 彡 (shěn), can mean “to examine.” Together, they create the image of a doctor diagnosing a patient by asking questions and performing an examination.
• 断 (duàn): This character means “to break,” “to sever,” or “to make a judgment.” It's composed of 斤 (jīn), an “axe,” cutting through 幺 (yāo), which represents silk threads. The meaning here extends from a physical “break” to a mental “decisive judgment.”

By combining 诊 (to examine/inquire) and 断 (to judge/decide), the word 诊断 (zhěnduàn) perfectly captures the two-step process: gathering information through examination and then making a definitive conclusion.

The term 诊断 (zhěnduàn) is deeply rooted in the modern, scientific approach to problem-solving, particularly in medicine. While it can be used as a general term, it is most closely associated with Western medicine (西医, xīyī). This contrasts with the diagnostic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (中医, zhōngyī), which are famously summarized by the phrase 望闻问切 (wàng wén wèn qiè):

• 望 (wàng): Observation (e.g., of the tongue, complexion).
• 闻 (wén): Listening and smelling.
• 问 (wèn): Inquiring about symptoms and history.
• 切 (qiè): Pulse-taking.

While a TCM practitioner's conclusion is also a form of diagnosis, the term 诊断 (zhěnduàn) carries the weight and methodology of modern clinical science. In China today, both systems coexist. You might go to a hospital for a 诊断 (zhěnduàn) involving blood tests and X-rays, or visit a TCM clinic for a diagnosis based on your body's energy flow (气, qì). Understanding this distinction reveals the dual nature of healthcare in modern China.

诊断 (zhěnduàn) is a formal and professional term.

• In Medical Situations: This is its most common and direct use. It's used by doctors, in medical reports, and by patients discussing their condition formally.
  • e.g., “医生的诊断是什么？” (Yīshēng de zhěnduàn shì shénme?) - What is the doctor's diagnosis?
• In Technical and Business Contexts: The term is frequently used metaphorically for any kind of systematic troubleshooting.
  • Technology: An IT expert can 诊断 (zhěnduàn) a network failure.
  • Business: A consultant can 诊断 (zhěnduàn) a company's financial problems.
  • Mechanics: A mechanic can 诊断 (zhěnduàn) a car's engine trouble.

In these cases, 诊断 (zhěnduàn) implies a higher level of expertise and a more thorough process than simply “checking” or “looking at” a problem.

• Example 1:
  • 医生给我的诊断是普通感冒。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng gěi wǒ de zhěnduàn shì pǔtōng gǎnmào.
  • English: The doctor's diagnosis for me was a common cold.
  • Analysis: Here, 诊断 is used as a noun. This is a very common structure for receiving a diagnosis.
• Example 2:
  • 早期诊断和治疗对控制病情非常重要。
  • Pinyin: Zǎoqī zhěnduàn hé zhìliáo duì kòngzhì bìngqíng fēicháng zhòngyào.
  • English: Early diagnosis and treatment are very important for controlling the illness.
  • Analysis: 诊断 is used as a noun in the phrase “早期诊断” (early diagnosis), highlighting its importance in a medical strategy.
• Example 3:
  • 专家正在诊断这台计算机的故障原因。
  • Pinyin: Zhuānjiā zhèngzài zhěnduàn zhè tái jìsuànjī de gùzhàng yuányīn.
  • English: The expert is diagnosing the cause of this computer's malfunction.
  • Analysis: This shows the metaphorical use of 诊断 as a verb in a technical context. It implies a professional, systematic approach.
• Example 4:
  • 经过一系列检查，医生终于诊断出他得了肺炎。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò yī xìliè jiǎnchá, yīshēng zhōngyú zhěnduàn chū tā dé le fèiyán.
  • English: After a series of examinations, the doctor finally diagnosed him with pneumonia.
  • Analysis: The structure 诊断出 (zhěnduàn chū) means “to diagnose out,” emphasizing that a result or conclusion has been reached. “-出” is a common resultative complement.
• Example 5:
  • 这个病的诊断过程非常复杂。
  • Pinyin: Zhège bìng de zhěnduàn guòchéng fēicháng fùzá.
  • English: The diagnostic process for this disease is very complex.
  • Analysis: 诊断 is used as a noun modifying “过程” (process) to mean “diagnostic process.”
• Example 6:
  • 他的初步诊断结果出来了，但还需要进一步确认。
  • Pinyin: Tā de chūbù zhěnduàn jiéguǒ chūlái le, dàn hái xūyào jìnyībù quèrèn.
  • English: His preliminary diagnosis results are out, but they still need further confirmation.
  • Analysis: 初步诊断 (chūbù zhěnduàn) means “preliminary diagnosis,” showing how adjectives can be added to specify the type of diagnosis.
• Example 7:
  • 如果你不同意这个诊断，可以寻求第二医疗意见。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù tóngyì zhège zhěnduàn, kěyǐ xúnqiú dì-èr yīliáo yìjiàn.
  • English: If you don't agree with this diagnosis, you can seek a second medical opinion.
  • Analysis: 诊断 is used as a noun, the object of the verb “to agree with” (同意).
• Example 8:
  • 公司聘请了顾问来诊断其管理上的问题。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī pìnqǐng le gùwèn lái zhěnduàn qí guǎnlǐ shàng de wèntí.
  • English: The company hired a consultant to diagnose its management problems.
  • Analysis: A clear example of 诊断 as a verb in a business context.
• Example 9:
  • 误诊比没有诊断更危险。
  • Pinyin: Wùzhěn bǐ méiyǒu zhěnduàn gèng wēixiǎn.
  • English: A misdiagnosis is more dangerous than no diagnosis.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts “misdiagnosis” (误诊) with the absence of a “diagnosis” (没有诊断), showing how the core term fits into a larger conceptual family.
• Example 10:
  • 医生是如何诊断这种罕见病的？
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shì rúhé zhěnduàn zhè zhǒng hǎnjiàn bìng de?
  • English: How do doctors diagnose this kind of rare disease?
  • Analysis: Using 诊断 as a verb in a question to inquire about the method or process.

A very common mistake for learners is to confuse 诊断 (zhěnduàn) with 看病 (kànbìng).

• 看病 (kànbìng): Literally “to see an illness.” This is what the patient does. It means “to see a doctor” or “to get medical treatment.”
  • Correct: 我明天要去看病。(Wǒ míngtiān yào qù kànbìng.) - I have to go see a doctor tomorrow.
  • Incorrect: 我明天要去诊断。(Wǒ míngtiān yào qù zhěnduàn.) - This sounds like you, the patient, are going to perform a diagnosis.
• 诊断 (zhěnduàn): This is what the doctor or expert does. It is the act of identifying the problem.
  • Correct: 医生给我做了诊断。(Yīshēng gěi wǒ zuò le zhěnduàn.) - The doctor gave me a diagnosis.

Think of it this way: You 去看病 (kànbìng) so that the doctor can give you a 诊断 (zhěnduàn). Another point is formality. While in English you might casually say “I need to diagnose why my Wi-Fi is so slow,” using 诊断 in Chinese for such a minor issue can sound overly formal. A native speaker would more likely say “我得看看我的Wi-Fi为什么这么慢” (Wǒ děi kànkan wǒ de Wi-Fi wèishéme zhème màn - I need to check why my Wi-Fi is so slow). Reserve 诊断 for more serious, systematic troubleshooting.

• 检查 (jiǎnchá) - To check, examine. This is the process of gathering data (like a blood test or an X-ray) that leads to a 诊断.
• 治疗 (zhìliáo) - To treat, treatment. This is the action taken after a 诊断 has been made.
• 看病 (kànbìng) - To see a doctor. The action of the patient seeking medical help.
• 确诊 (quèzhěn) - To confirm a diagnosis. This is more definitive than a general 诊断. The `确` (què) means “certain” or “confirmed.”
• 误诊 (wùzhěn) - Misdiagnosis. The `误` (wù) means “mistake” or “error.”
• 症状 (zhèngzhuàng) - Symptom(s). The evidence (like a fever or cough) used to make a 诊断.
• 病历 (bìnglì) - Medical record. The document where the 诊断 and treatment history are recorded.
• 医生 (yīshēng) - Doctor. The professional who performs the 诊断.