Chinese Grammar Reference logo

    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to traditional Chinese medicine with 中药 (zhōngyào)

    Topic & Focus

    Explanation

    中药 (zhōngyào) is a noun meaning "traditional Chinese medicine" or "Chinese herbal medicine." It refers to the medicinal herbs, roots, and other natural ingredients used in the traditional Chinese medical system, often purchased at specialized 中药店 (zhōngyào diàn, "Chinese medicine shops").

    Examples

    • 我感冒了,奶奶让我喝中药。

      Wǒ gǎnmào le, nǎinai ràng wǒ hē zhōngyào.

      I caught a cold, and my grandmother told me to drink traditional Chinese medicine.

    • 这家中药店开了好几十年了。

      Zhè jiā zhōngyào diàn kāi le hǎo jǐ shí nián le.

      This traditional Chinese medicine shop has been open for decades.

    • 很多外国人对中药很感兴趣。

      Hěn duō wàiguórén duì zhōngyào hěn gǎn xìngqù.

      Many foreigners are very interested in traditional Chinese medicine.