打针 (dǎ zhēn) — to have or give an injection

Definition

Everyday spoken verb for 'to give or get an injection.' 注射 is the formal/medical term, typically used in writing or by professionals.

verb
to have or give an injection

Examples

  • 打针
    Wǒ míng tiān yào qù yī yuàn dǎ zhēn.
    I need to go to the hospital tomorrow for an injection.
  • Zuó tiān wǒ dǎ le yì zhēn, xiàn zài bú tòng le.
    I had a shot yesterday, and now it doesn't hurt.
  • 打针
    Hù shi zhèng zài gěi bìng rén dǎ zhēn.
    The nurse is giving the patient an injection.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

give
zhēnneedle

打 means to give, and 针 is the needle used in the shot.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asshǒuhand
Sound part声符shēngfú
dīng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

打 uses 扌, a hand, to show an action done with the hand, and 丁 to give the sound.

Open 打 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 針; 针 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
Written in full asjīnmetal
Sound part声符shēngfú
shízhēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 針 puts 釒, the metal side, beside 十, which gives the sound; 针 is a simplified shorthand.

Open 针 →

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