noun HSK 3
Traditional 護士
nurse
Meaning
护士 refers to a professional healthcare worker who provides medical care to patients, typically in hospitals, clinics, or other medical settings. The term literally means 'protect scholar/person,' reflecting the protective and caring nature of the profession.
Usage
This is the standard, respectful term for nurses in all contexts. In formal or respectful address, people often say 护士小姐 (hùshi xiǎojiě) for female nurses or simply 护士 for any nurse. The profession is commonly associated with women in China, though male nurses (男护士 nán hùshi) are increasingly common.
Examples
- 01那位护士很温柔，对病人非常细心。, .That nurse is very gentle and extremely attentive to patients.
- 02我姐姐在医院当护士已经十年了。.My older sister has been working as a nurse at the hospital for ten years.
Characters
Measure words
- 位一位护士
- 个一个护士
- 名三名护士
Common collocations
- 男护士male nurse
- 护士长head nurse
- 护士站nurses' station
- 实习护士nursing intern
Origin
The term combines 护 (to protect/care for) with 士 (a person with specialized skills or professional status). This construction pattern is common in modern Chinese professional titles.