Meaning
健康 means 'healthy' or 'health' and refers to physical and mental well-being. As an adjective, it describes someone or something in good health. As a noun, it refers to the state of health itself. This is one of the most common words in everyday Chinese related to wellness and medical topics.
Usage
Native speakers use 健康 in both formal and informal contexts. It commonly appears in greetings (祝你健康 'wishing you health'), health advice, and medical discussions. It can describe people, lifestyles, food, or habits. Often paired with 身体 (body) as 身体健康.
Examples
- 01多运动对身体健康有好处。.Exercising more is beneficial for physical health.
- 02祝你和家人新年快乐，身体健康！, !Wishing you and your family a happy new year and good health!
Characters
Common collocations
- 身体健康in good health
- 健康状况health condition
- 心理健康mental health
- 健康饮食healthy diet
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters relate to health and strength. 健 originally depicted strength and vigor, while 康 suggested peace and well-being. Together they form a compound emphasizing complete physical and mental health.