新陈代谢 (xīn chén dài xiè)

noun HSK 5

Traditional 新陳代謝

xīn chén dài xiè

metabolism · metabolic process · renewal and replacement

Meaning

新陈代谢 refers to metabolism, the biological process by which organisms convert food into energy and build or break down tissues. In Chinese, the literal meaning is 'new replaces old,' capturing the cyclical nature of metabolic processes where new cells replace old ones and substances are continuously transformed.

Usage

This term is commonly used in medical, biological, and health contexts. Native speakers use it when discussing bodily functions, fitness, diet, or aging. It can also be used metaphorically to describe social or cultural renewal processes, though the biological meaning is most common.

Examples

01
运动可以促进身体的新陈代谢。
Yùn dòng kě yǐ cù jìn shēn tǐ de xīn chén dài xiè.
Exercise can promote the body's metabolism.
02
随着年龄增长,人的新陈代谢会逐渐变慢。
Suí zhe nián líng zēng zhǎng, rén de xīn chén dài xiè huì zhú jiàn biàn màn.
As people age, their metabolism gradually slows down.

Characters

Common collocations

新陈代谢速度
xīn chén dài xiè sù dù
metabolic rate
促进新陈代谢
cù jìn xīn chén dài xiè
to promote metabolism
新陈代谢缓慢
xīn chén dài xiè huǎn màn
slow metabolism
加快新陈代谢
jiā kuài xīn chén dài xiè
to speed up metabolism

Origin

The term combines 新 (new) and 陈 (old) with 代谢 (replace/exchange), creating a phrase that literally means 'the new replaces the old.' This perfectly captures the essence of metabolism as a continuous process of renewal.