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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 脏 (zàng) to express "internal organ"

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Organ Name + 脏

    Explanation

    The character 脏 (zàng) has a second pronunciation and meaning distinct from 脏 (zāng, dirty). When pronounced zàng, it refers to internal organs of the body and appears in medical compound words like 心脏 (heart), 肝脏 (liver), and 肾脏 (kidney). It is not used independently but always as part of an organ compound.

    Examples

    • 他做了心脏手术，恢复得很好。

      Tā zuò le xīnzàng shǒushù, huīfù de hěn hǎo.

      He had heart surgery and recovered very well.

    • 医生检查了他的肝脏功能。

      Yīshēng jiǎnchá le tā de gānzàng gōngnéng.

      The doctor examined his liver function.

    • 肾脏是人体重要的器官之一。

      Shènzàng shì réntǐ zhòngyào de qìguān zhī yī.

      The kidneys are one of the important organs in the human body.

    Using 脏 (zàng) to express "internal organ" | Chinese Grammar