deSCriBiNG PeoPle, PlaCeS, aNd thiNGS
30.930.9.2 describing symptoms
In English, symptoms are described as a possession of the patient: ‘I have a headache,’ ‘you
have a broken leg,’ etc. Notice how symptoms are described in Mandarin.
Fever Cold symptoms Sore throat
(我)发烧了。 (我)流鼻涕。 (我)咳嗽。
(我)發燒了。
(Wǒ) fā shāo le. (Wǒ) liú bíti. (Wǒ) késou.
(I) have fever. (I) have a runny nose. (I) have a cough.
(我)发高烧。 (我)打喷嚏。 (我)嗓子疼。
(我)發高燒。 (我)打噴嚏。
(Wǒ) fā gāo shāo. (Wǒ) dǎ pēntì. (Wǒ) sǎngzi téng.
(I) have a high fever. (I) am sneezing. (I) have a sore throat.
General infection Earache Headache
(我)发炎。 (我)耳朵疼。 (我)头疼。
(我)發炎。 (我)頭疼。
(Wǒ) fāyán. (Wǒ) ěrduo téng. (Wǒ) tóu téng.
(I) have an infection. (I) have earache. (I) have a headache.
Stomach ache Diarrhea Broken bones
(我)肚子疼。 (我)拉稀。 他骨头断了。
(Wǒ) dùzi téng. (Wǒ) lā xī. 他骨頭斷了。
(I) have a stomach ache. (I) have diarrhea. Tā gǔtou duàn le.
He has a broken bone.
(lit. ‘His bone broke.’)
我泻肚了。 他腿(手)断了。
我瀉肚了。 他腿(手)斷了。
Wǒ xièdù le. Tā tuǐ (shǒu) duàn le.
I have diarrhea. (formal
expression)He has a broken leg (arm).(我)拉肚子。
(Wǒ) lā dùzi.
(I) have diarrhea.30.9.3 asking about symptoms
The following expressions are commonly used to ask about symptoms:你什么地方不舒服？
你甚麼地方不舒服？
Nǐ shénme dìfang bù shūfu?
Where are you uncomfortable?发不发烧？ 发烧吗？
發不發燒？ 發燒嗎？
Fā bù fā shāo? Fā shāo ma?
Do you have a fever? Do you have a fever?(头)疼不疼？ (头)疼吗？
(頭)疼不疼？ (頭)疼嗎？
(Tóu) téng bù téng? (Tóu) téng ma?
Do you have a headache? Do you have a headache?C28.1, 28.6