Meaning
医疗 refers to medical treatment and healthcare services in general. It encompasses the full range of medical care activities, from diagnosis to treatment to preventive care. The term is commonly used in both everyday contexts and formal discussions about healthcare systems.
Usage
医疗 frequently appears as a modifier before other nouns to form compounds related to healthcare (医疗保险 'health insurance', 医疗费 'medical expenses'). It's more formal than simply saying 看病 (to see a doctor) and is commonly used in news, policy discussions, and official contexts. Native speakers use it when discussing the healthcare system or medical services broadly.
Examples
- 01这家医院的医疗设备非常先进。.This hospital's medical equipment is very advanced.
- 02政府正在努力改善农村地区的医疗条件。.The government is working hard to improve medical conditions in rural areas.
Characters
Common collocations
- 医疗保险health insurance
- 医疗费medical expenses
- 医疗服务medical services
- 医疗水平level of medical care
Origin
Both characters relate to healing: 医 originally depicted a container of arrows (weapons) being hidden, symbolizing the removal of harm, while 疗 contains the sickness radical 疒 and suggests therapeutic treatment.