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noun HSK 4
Traditional 手術
shǒu shù
surgery · surgical operation

Meaning

手术 refers to a medical procedure involving cutting into the body to repair, remove, or replace diseased or damaged tissue. It is the standard modern Chinese term for any surgical operation, from minor procedures to major operations.

Usage

This is a formal medical term used in both spoken and written contexts. It typically requires a measure word when counting operations. Common patterns include 做手术 (to perform/undergo surgery), 动手术 (to operate on), and 接受手术 (to receive surgery). The term is neutral in register and appropriate in all contexts.

Examples

  1. 01
    他明天要做心脏手术。
    Tā míng tiān yào zuò xīn zàng shǒu shù.
    He is having heart surgery tomorrow.
  2. 02
    这个手术很成功，病人恢复得很快。
    Zhè ge shǒu shù hěn chéng gōng, bìng rén huī fù de hěn kuài.
    This surgery was very successful, and the patient is recovering quickly.

Characters

Measure words

  • 个gè一个手术
  • 次cì做了三次手术
  • 台tái完成了两台手术

Common collocations

  • 做手术
    zuò shǒu shù
    to perform/undergo surgery
  • 动手术
    dòng shǒu shù
    to operate on
  • 接受手术
    jiē shòu shǒu shù
    to receive surgery
  • 手术室
    shǒu shù shì
    operating room

Origin

Literally 'hand technique,' combining 手 (hand) and 术 (technique/skill). The term emphasizes the manual skill and precision required in surgical procedures.

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