死胎 (sǐ tāi) — stillborn fetus; stillbirth | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Medical term for a fetus that has died in the womb before delivery (stillbirth). Refers to the clinical outcome, not the moment of death — for the event/act of being stillborn use 死产.

noun

stillborn fetusstillbirth

Measure word · 个

Examples

，死胎。
Yī shēng gào sù jiā shǔ, tāi ér bú xìng chéng le sǐ tāi.
The doctor told the family that the fetus unfortunately became a stillbirth.
死胎，。
Zhè cì yùn qī jiǎn chá fā xiàn shì sǐ tāi, xū yào lì jí shǒu shù.
This prenatal check-up found a stillborn fetus and required immediate surgery.
，死胎。
Gēn jù tǒng jì, sǐ tāi de fā shēng lǜ zhèng zài xià jiàng.
According to statistics, the incidence of stillbirth is decreasing.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

The idea of 死 (dead) applies to 胎 (fetus), giving a stillborn fetus.

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

Sound part声符shēngfú

尸

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

死 is built from 歹 and 尸: 歹 is the part tied to the meaning, and 尸 gives the sound.

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

⺼Written in full as肉ròu

Sound part声符shēngfú

台

台tái胎tāi

Same sound today

胎 is formed from ⺼ (written in full as 肉) and 台, which gives the sound.

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