Health in Chinese
The Chinese word for health is 健康 (jiàn kāng). The everyday word for health, and a common wish.
jiàn kāng
Health
What 健康 means.
健 means strong and 康 means well, so 健康 is strength and wellbeing together. 身体健康, “good health”, is one of the most common wishes at Chinese New Year.
- 健
- strong, healthy
- 康
- well, peaceful
Simplified and traditional
健康
健康
健康 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
About health in Chinese
How do you write health in Chinese?
Health is 健康 in Chinese, pronounced jiàn kāng. Health 健 means “strong, healthy”, 康 means “well, peaceful”.
How do you pronounce 健康?
Say jiàn (fourth tone, falling), kāng (first tone, high and level). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 健康 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 健康 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
Is 健康 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. Keep the characters in their order, top to bottom or left to right, and never mirrored. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.