Need to know how to say fever in Chinese? The word is 发烧 (fā shāo), which literally means “emit heat.” You’ll use this every time you feel under the weather in China, whether you’re telling a friend, a taxi driver, or a doctor at the hospital.
After twelve years in Tianjin, I’ve had my fair share of fevers. The first time I tried to explain I was burning up, I just pointed at my forehead and made dramatic wheezing sounds. The pharmacist looked at me like I was a confused dog. Trust me, knowing the actual word saves a lot of awkward pantomime.
发烧 is one of those words that sits right at the intersection of everyday health vocabulary and hospital communication. If you’re living in China or even just visiting, it’s non-negotiable. In this post, I’ll break down how to use it, what related phrases you need, and a few cultural notes that might surprise you.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The Chinese word for fever is 发烧 (fā shāo), literally “emit heat.”
- You’ll use this word at pharmacies, hospitals, and when calling in sick to work.
- Chinese culture treats fever seriously, often combining Western medicine with traditional remedies like herbal medicine.
Core Ways to Say Fever in Chinese
Formal Expression
The standard, formal way to say fever is 发烧 (fā shāo). This is what you’ll see on medical forms, hear from doctors, and read on medicine packaging. 发 means “to emit” or “to send out,” and 烧 means “to burn” or “heat.” Put them together and you get “emitting heat,” which is a pretty accurate description of what a fever feels like.
If you want to say “I have a fever,” the full sentence is 我发烧了 (Wǒ fā shāo le). The 了 at the end indicates a change of state, basically saying “I have become feverish.” This is the phrase you want to memorize and keep ready.
Alternate Terms
There’s also 发热 (fā rè), which is more clinical and often used in medical contexts. You’ll see this on hospital signs and in formal health reports. It means the same thing as 发烧, but it sounds a bit more technical. For everyday conversation, stick with 发烧.
Another useful phrase is 高烧 (gāo shāo), meaning “high fever.” If you’re really burning up, say 我发高烧了 (Wǒ fā gāo shāo le). The opposite, 低烧 (dī shāo), means “low-grade fever.”
Pronunciation Guide
发烧 is pronounced fā shāo. Both syllables are first tone, which means a high, flat pitch. Think of it like holding a steady note. 发 is “fah” with a flat tone, and 烧 is “shao” (rhymes with “cow”) also flat. Don’t let the tone drop or rise. Keep it level.
The full sentence 我发烧了 is Wǒ fā shāo le. 我 is third tone (dipping), 发 and 烧 are first tone (flat), and 了 is neutral. Practice it slowly: Wǒ… fā… shāo… le. Then speed it up.
Related Vocabulary
Common Phrases
- 我发烧了 (Wǒ fā shāo le), I have a fever.
- 我发高烧了 (Wǒ fā gāo shāo le), I have a high fever.
- 我觉得发烧 (Wǒ jué de fā shāo), I think I have a fever.
- 烧退了 (Shāo tuì le), The fever has gone down.
- 量体温 (liáng tǐ wēn), Take temperature.
Related Words
- 体温 (tǐ wēn), Body temperature.
- 温度计 (wēn dù jì), Thermometer.
- 退烧药 (tuì shāo yào), Fever-reducing medicine.
- 感冒 (gǎn mào), Cold/flu. (Related: how to say sick in Chinese)
- 咳嗽 (ké sou), Cough.
- 头疼 (tóu téng), Headache. (Related: how to say headache in Chinese)
- 胃痛 (wèi tòng), Stomachache. (Related: how to say stomachache in Chinese)
- 药 (yào), Medicine. (Related: how to say medicine in Chinese)
Cultural Context
Chinese Remedies
In China, fever isn’t just something you pop a pill for and sleep off. There’s a whole cultural framework around it. The concept of 上火 (shàng huǒ), or “internal heat,” is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. When you have a fever, many Chinese people will tell you to avoid “heating” foods like fried dishes, spicy food, and even some fruits like lychee and mango.
Instead, you’ll be encouraged to drink plenty of warm water, eat porridge (粥, zhōu), and rest. Some families still use traditional remedies like ginger soup or herbal teas alongside Western medicine. I once told a Chinese friend I was taking ibuprofen for a fever, and she immediately brought me a thermos of 板蓝根 (bǎn lán gēn), a traditional herbal remedy. It’s a different mindset, one that blends modern and traditional approaches without much fuss.
Hospital Visits
If your fever is high or persistent, you’ll likely end up at a Chinese hospital. The process is straightforward but can be overwhelming if you don’t know the language. You’ll register at the front desk, see a doctor in the internal medicine department (内科, nèi kē), and probably get a blood test.
Knowing how to say 我发烧了 gets you through the first hurdle. After that, the doctor will likely ask about other symptoms. Being able to say 我头疼 (I have a headache) or 我咳嗽 (I have a cough) helps build a complete picture. (Related: how to say doctor in Chinese)
One thing that surprised me: Chinese hospitals often give IV drips for fevers, even relatively mild ones. It’s standard practice here, whereas in the West you might just be told to rest and hydrate. Don’t be alarmed if they suggest it. It’s normal.
Practical Usage
Example Scenarios
At a pharmacy:
Chinese: 我发烧了，有什么退烧药？
Pinyin: Wǒ fā shāo le, yǒu shén me tuì shāo yào?
English: I have a fever. What fever-reducing medicine do you have?
Calling in sick to work:
Chinese: 我今天不能去上班，我发烧了。
Pinyin: Wǒ jīn tiān bù néng qù shàng bān, wǒ fā shāo le.
English: I can’t go to work today. I have a fever.
Telling a friend:
Chinese: 我觉得我发烧了，头很疼。
Pinyin: Wǒ jué de wǒ fā shāo le, tóu hěn téng.
English: I think I have a fever, and my head hurts a lot.
Common Mistakes
One mistake learners make is saying 我很热 (Wǒ hěn rè) when they mean “I have a fever.” 我很热 means “I’m hot” as in “the room is hot” or “I’m sweating.” It doesn’t mean you have a medical fever. Always use 发烧 for the medical condition.
Another common slip is forgetting the 了 at the end of 我发烧了. Without it, you’re saying “I emit heat” which sounds weird and incomplete. The 了 is essential because it marks the change of state. You weren’t feverish before, and now you are.
Related Vocabulary
Here are some other Chinese words you might find useful:
- How to say schedule in Chinese? 时间表 shí jiān biǎo
- How to say WeChat in Chinese? 微信 Wēi Xìn
- How to say vulnerable in Chinese? 脆弱 cuì ruò
- How to say handicapped in Chinese? 残疾 cán jí
- How to say key in Chinese? 钥匙 yào shi
To keep building on 发烧, bookmark the Wiktionary entry for 发烧 and the MDBG dictionary entry for 发烧, both list extra example words and combinations worth knowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions
What is the Chinese word for fever?
The Chinese word for fever is 发烧 (fā shāo), which literally means “emit heat.”
How do you say “I have a fever” in Chinese?
You say 我发烧了 (Wǒ fā shāo le). The 了 at the end indicates a change of state, meaning you have become feverish.
What is the difference between 发烧 and 发热?
Both mean fever. 发烧 is more common in everyday conversation, while 发热 is slightly more formal and clinical. For daily use, stick with 发烧.
How do you say “high fever” in Chinese?
High fever is 高烧 (gāo shāo). To say “I have a high fever,” say 我发高烧了 (Wǒ fā gāo shāo le).
What do Chinese people eat or drink when they have a fever?
Chinese people often drink warm water, eat porridge (粥, zhōu), and avoid “heating” foods like fried or spicy dishes. Some also drink traditional herbal remedies like 板蓝根 (bǎn lán gēn).
Advanced Ways for How to Say Fever in Chinese Sentences
-
Chinese: 我发烧了，需要去医院。
Pinyin: Wǒ fā shāo le, xū yào qù yī yuàn.
English: I have a fever and need to go to the hospital. -
Chinese: 他发高烧，体温三十九度。
Pinyin: Tā fā gāo shāo, tǐ wēn sān shí jiǔ dù.
English: He has a high fever. His body temperature is 39 degrees. -
Chinese: 我吃了退烧药，烧已经退了。
Pinyin: Wǒ chī le tuì shāo yào, shāo yǐ jīng tuì le.
English: I took fever-reducing medicine, and the fever has already gone down. -
Chinese: 我觉得发烧，可能是因为感冒了。
Pinyin: Wǒ jué de fā shāo, kě néng shì yīn wèi gǎn mào le.
English: I think I have a fever. It’s probably because I caught a cold. -
Chinese: 请给我量一下体温，我好像发烧了。
Pinyin: Qǐng gěi wǒ liáng yí xià tǐ wēn, wǒ hǎo xiàng fā shāo le.
English: Please take my temperature. I think I have a fever.
