脾

• Pinyin: pí
• Hanzi breakdown: 脾 = 月 + 卑 (flesh radical + low/humble — the organ situated in the lower abdominal region)

Meaning

Spleen (the organ). In Chinese medicine, 脾 governs digestive transformation and is the root of 脾气 (temperament) and 脾胃 (the digestive system as a whole).

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, 脾 encompasses the full transformative and transportive functions of the digestive system, broader than the anatomical spleen. 脾胃 (spleen and stomach) is central to TCM dietary theory. In daily speech it appears mainly in 脾气 (temper) and 脾性 (disposition).

Examples

1. 中医认为脾主运化，脾功能失调会导致消化不良和气血不足等一系列健康问题。 Traditional Chinese medicine holds that the spleen governs digestion and transformation; dysfunction can lead to indigestion, insufficient qi and blood, and a range of related health problems.
2. 他的脾在那次车祸中严重受损，医生不得不实施紧急手术将其切除。 His spleen was severely damaged in that car accident, and doctors had to perform emergency surgery to remove it.
3. 这位老中医通过望闻问切，判断患者的脾胃功能较弱，建议从饮食和作息两方面加以调养。 Through observation, listening and smelling, questioning, and pulse-taking, the old TCM doctor determined the patient’s digestive function was weak and advised nourishing it through both diet and daily routine.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, TCM, anatomy, health

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 中医理论认为脾为后天之本，主管气血的生化与运输，脾气虚则全身气血供应不足，百病由此丛生。(TCM theory regards the spleen as the foundation of acquired vitality, governing the generation and transport of qi and blood; spleen qi deficiency leads to insufficient qi and blood throughout the body and the onset of many illnesses.)
• 医学影像检查显示患者的脾脏存在明显肿大，医生建议进一步检查以排除淋巴瘤等严重疾病的可能性。(Medical imaging shows significant enlargement of the patient's spleen; the doctor recommends further examination to rule out serious conditions such as lymphoma.)

Don't Say

• 他脾很好 — 脾 alone does not mean temper; say 他脾气很好 (he has a good temper); 脾 by itself in this position reads as the organ, not the disposition

Origin & History

月 (flesh/organ radical) + 卑 (phonetic, humble/low) — the abdominal organ on the lower left side of the body

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal