肾

• Pinyin: shèn
• Hanzi breakdown: 肾 = 月(flesh radical, body organ) + 臣 (minister — ancient component)

Meaning

Kidney; the organ in the urinary system responsible for filtering blood and producing urine.

The anatomical term for the kidney. In traditional Chinese medicine, 肾 is regarded as one of the most vital organs, governing reproduction, growth, and vitality. Phrases like 肾虚 (kidney deficiency) are common in TCM discourse and popular health culture.

Examples

1. 长期摄入大量盐分会对肾脏造成严重负担。 Long-term high salt intake can place a serious burden on the kidneys.
2. 医生建议他多喝水，保护肾的正常功能。 The doctor advised him to drink more water to protect normal kidney function.
3. 捐肾者的手术非常成功，受者的身体恢复良好。 The kidney donor’s surgery was very successful, and the recipient recovered well.

Usage Guide

Context: medicine, health, TCM

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 长期熬夜、饮食不规律都会对肾功能产生不良影响，应注意日常保养。(Regularly staying up late and having an irregular diet can both harm kidney function; daily care and maintenance are important.)
• 肾移植手术技术已相当成熟，成功率在国内各大医院普遍较高。(Kidney transplant surgery techniques are now quite mature, with high success rates at major hospitals across the country.)

Don't Say

• 肾 alone when using TCM concepts — clarify with 中医所说的肾 to distinguish the TCM concept from the anatomical organ, as their meanings differ significantly

Origin & History

肾 = 又 + 月(flesh) + 臣 — ancient pictograph of the kidney

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal