Learn essential Medical Chinese for the physical exam. Master terms like tǐjiǎn and phrases for patient consent to bridge the language gap in the clinic.

It’s about communication, not perfection. If you can get the point across and make the patient feel heard and safe, you’ve done your job.
Create a lesson teaching an English speaking doctor how to ask physical examination questions to a Mandarin Chinese speaking patient. For example, asking permission to listen to the heart with the stethoscope, asking to listen to the lungs, asking to press on the abdomen to examine it etc .


In a clinical setting, the term for performing a physical exam is tǐjiǎn. Using this specific word helps transition the appointment into a formal assessment, providing clarity for Mandarin-speaking patients. Understanding this key piece of medical Mandarin terminology allows English-speaking doctors to set a professional stage and reduce patient anxiety before the examination begins.
To establish rapport and ensure patient agency, you can say, 'Wǒ xiǎng gěi ní zuò yī gè tǐjiǎn, kě yǐ ma?' This translates to 'I would like to perform a physical exam on you. Is that okay?' The phrase 'kě yǐ ma?' is a vital tool for doctors, serving as a universal way to ask for permission or confirm that a procedure is permitted.
Clear communication is essential in high-stakes clinical environments where patients may only speak Mandarin. If a doctor cannot explain the 'how' or 'why' of an exam, the patient might tense up, making the medical assessment more difficult. Learning Mandarin for the physical exam helps doctors explain their moves clearly, ensuring the patient remains relaxed and informed throughout the process.
Создано выпускниками Колумбийского университета в Сан-Франциско
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Создано выпускниками Колумбийского университета в Сан-Франциско
