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针灸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
针灸zhēnjiǔacupuncture and moxibustionHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #14507, Very Hard
针灸zhēnjiǔto give or have acupuncture and moxibustionHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #14507, Very Hard
zhēnjiǔ(zhen1jiu3)zhen jiu T1
  1. 1acupuncture and moxibustion
  2. 2to give or have acupuncture and moxibustion
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March 24, 2026

针灸(針灸)zhēnjiǔ(zhen1jiu3)

针灸 refers to the traditional Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, which involves inserting needles into specific points on the body and applying heat to promote healing. It is commonly used to alleviate pain, treat various ailments, and balance the body's energy, known as 'qi'. This term is often encountered in health-related contexts and discussions about alternative medicine.

Strokes14Frequency#14507DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 针灸 is not just a medical practice; it is also part of a holistic approach to health that emphasizes balance and harmony within the body. It has been used for thousands of years and is often integrated with other traditional practices such as herbal medicine.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant acupuncture needle (针) piercing through pain (灸) to create relief. The character 针 looks like a sharp needle, reminding you of its purpose in acupuncture, while 灸 can be visualized as a warm glow of heat, symbolizing moxibustion.

Meanings of 针灸

zhēnjiǔ(zhen1jiu3)
1acupuncture and moxibustion
2to give or have acupuncture and moxibustion
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About 针灸

针灸Simplified
針灸Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 针灸

Quick Contrast

针灸 (zhēnjiǔ) vs 针刺 (zhēncì) — 针灸 specifically includes moxibustion, while 针刺 refers solely to acupuncture without the heat application.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 针灸 with just acupuncture (针), as it encompasses both acupuncture and moxibustion. Use this term in formal discussions about traditional medicine, but it may also appear in informal settings when discussing health remedies. Remember to pronounce it with the correct tones: zhen1 (first tone) and jiu3 (third tone).

HSK Study Tips

Although 针灸 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be useful for learners at HSK 4 and above, especially those interested in health and wellness. Students should focus on recognizing related terms like 医 (yī, medicine) and 疗 (liáo, to treat) to build their vocabulary in this area.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 针灸 with just acupuncture, neglecting moxibustion. A common mistake is saying '我想做针' (Wǒ xiǎng zuò zhēn) instead of '我想做针灸' (Wǒ xiǎng zuò zhēn jiǔ) to express the desire for treatment.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 针灸

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Component characters

针zhēnneedle
HSK 67 strokes钅
View full entry
灸jiǔto cauterize; moxibustion
HSK 77 strokes火
View full entry

How to say acupuncture and moxibustion in Chinese

“acupuncture and moxibustion” in Chinese is针灸zhēnjiǔ

针灸 refers to the traditional Chinese medicine practice of acupuncture and moxibustion, which involves inserting needles into specific points on the body and applying heat to promote healing. It is commonly used to alleviate pain, treat various ailments, and balance the body's energy, known as 'qi'. This term is often encountered in health-related contexts and discussions about alternative medicine.

When to use 针灸

Be careful not to confuse 针灸 with just acupuncture (针), as it encompasses both acupuncture and moxibustion. Use this term in formal discussions about traditional medicine, but it may also appear in informal settings when discussing health remedies. Remember to pronounce it with the correct tones: zhen1 (first tone) and jiu3 (third tone).

针灸 or something close to it

针灸 (zhēnjiǔ) vs 针刺 (zhēncì) — 针灸 specifically includes moxibustion, while 针刺 refers solely to acupuncture without the heat application.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 针灸 with just acupuncture, neglecting moxibustion. A common mistake is saying '我想做针' (Wǒ xiǎng zuò zhēn) instead of '我想做针灸' (Wǒ xiǎng zuò zhēn jiǔ) to express the desire for treatment.

Write 针灸

针
灸

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Frequently asked questions about 针灸

针灸 includes both acupuncture and moxibustion, whereas western acupuncture typically focuses only on needle insertion.

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