Understanding "手术" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 手术
• Pinyin: shǒu shù
• Literal Meaning: "Hand" (手) + "technique/method" (术) = "Hand technique"
• Primary Meaning: "Surgery" or "operation" (medical procedure performed by a doctor)

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "手术" refers to a medical procedure where a doctor performs an operation on a patient, often involving incisions or other manual techniques to treat an illness or injury.
• It is commonly used in hospitals and medical contexts. For example, you might hear phrases like "做手术" (to undergo surgery) or "动手术" (to perform surgery).

• The word can also be used metaphorically in non-medical contexts to describe a precise or delicate task, though this is less common.

• Character Breakdown:

• 手 (shǒu): Means "hand," representing the manual aspect of surgery.
• 术 (shù): Means "technique," "method," or "art," referring to the skilled procedure involved.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 医生建议他尽快做手术。
   Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì tā jǐnkuài zuò shǒushù.
   English: The doctor advised him to undergo surgery as soon as possible.

2. Chinese: 这个手术非常成功，病人恢复得很好。
   Pinyin: Zhège shǒushù fēicháng chénggōng, bìngrén huīfù de hěn hǎo.
   English: The surgery was very successful, and the patient is recovering well.

3. Chinese: 她是一位擅长心脏手术的专家。
   Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi shàncháng xīnzàng shǒushù de zhuānjiā.
   English: She is an expert skilled in heart surgery.

Cultural Notes

• In Chinese culture, surgery is often seen as a serious and sometimes last-resort medical intervention. Families may consult multiple doctors before agreeing to a procedure.
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) often prioritizes non-invasive treatments, so surgery is sometimes viewed with caution compared to herbal or acupuncture therapies.

Conclusion

"手术" (shǒu shù) is the Chinese word for "surgery" or "operation," combining the characters for "hand" and "technique." It is primarily used in medical contexts but can occasionally describe precise tasks. Remember it through examples like "做手术" (to undergo surgery) and its role in healthcare discussions.