Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
生理 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
生理shēnglǐphysiologyHSK 7, vn, rank #5993, Hard
shēnglǐ(sheng1li3) T1
  1. 1physiology
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
生理shēnglǐ(sheng1li3)

生理 (shēnglǐ) refers to the branch of biology that deals with the functions and processes of living organisms. It is commonly used in contexts related to medicine, biology, and health sciences, often discussing bodily functions, health, and their implications in everyday life.

Frequency#5993DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, understanding physiology (生理) is essential for maintaining health, emphasizing the balance of bodily functions. Traditional Chinese medicine also incorporates physiological concepts into its practices, reflecting a holistic approach to health.

Memory Tip

Think of 生 (shēng) as 'life' and 理 (lǐ) as 'reason' or 'logic'. Together, they signify the 'logic of life'. Visualize a scientist studying how the heart beats and how the body processes food, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 生理

shēnglǐ(sheng1li3)
1physiology
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 生理

生理Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#5993Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 生理

JasonAmy

Podcast: 生理

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 生理

Quick Contrast

生物 (shēngwù) refers to living organisms in general, while 生理 (shēnglǐ) specifically focuses on their functions and processes.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 生 (shēng) as 'life' and 理 (lǐ) as 'reason' or 'logic'. Together, they signify the 'logic of life'. Visualize a scientist studying how the heart beats and how the body processes food, which helps you remember both the meaning and pronunciation.

Usage Notes

生理 is often used in academic or professional settings, so it’s more formal. Common collocations include 生理现象 (physiological phenomena) and 生理需求 (physiological needs). Be cautious with the tone; mispronouncing the tones can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 生理 is part of advanced vocabulary related to sciences. Students should focus on its usage in medical and health-related contexts, as well as understanding related terms like 生物 (biology) and 生化 (biochemistry).

Cultural Note

In Chinese medicine, understanding physiology (生理) is essential for maintaining health, emphasizing the balance of bodily functions. Traditional Chinese medicine also incorporates physiological concepts into its practices, reflecting a holistic approach to health.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 生理 with 生物, leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, saying '我在学习生物' (I am studying physiology) should be corrected to '我在学习生理' to convey the intended meaning.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 生理

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 生理 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

shēngto be born
HSK 45 strokes
View full entry
texture
HSK 611 strokes
View full entry

Write 生理

Practice writing 生理 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 生理

生理 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 5

Complete the Sentence

大多数的年轻妇女都有生儿育女的____需要。

Most young women feel a biological need to procreate.

Example Sentences for 生理 (8)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
大多数的年轻妇女都有生儿育女的生理需要。

dà duō shù de nián qīng fù nǚ dū yǒu shēng ér yù nǚ de shēng lǐ xū yào。

Most young women feel a biological need to procreate.
2
他买了一本生理学方面的书.

tā mǎi le yī běn shēng lǐ xué fāng miàn de shū.

He bought a book about physiology.
3
解剖生理学系

jiě pōu shēng lǐ xué xì

the department of anatomy and physiology
4
星期二下午你们有一节生理课 吗 ?

xīng qī èr xià wǔ nǐ mén yǒu yī jié shēng lǐ kè?

Do you have a physiology class on Tuesday afternoon?
5
问题是心理方面的而不是生理方面的。

wèn tí shì xīn lǐ fāng miàn de ér bù shì shēng lǐ fāng miàn de。

The problem was psychological rather than physiological.
6
大多数已经出版的专著是生理学 、 语言学或心理学方面的.

dà duō shù yǐ jīng chū bǎn de zhuān zhù shì shēng lǐ xué、 、 yǔ yán xué huò xīn lǐ xué fāng miàn.

Most published studies of gestures are physiological, linguistic, or psychological.
7
他买了一本生理学方面的书。

tā mǎi le yī běn shēng lǐ xué fāng miàn de shū。

He bought a physiological book.
8
是否有诸如心碰碰乱跳或手心出汗等生理反应 呢 ?

shì fǒu yǒu zhū rú xīn pèng pèng luàn tiào huò shǒu xīn chū hàn děng shēng lǐ fǎn yīng?

Are there physical reactions as a pounding heart or sweaty palms?

Cultural Notes for 生理

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese medicine, understanding physiology (生理) is essential for maintaining health, emphasizing the balance of bodily functions. Traditional Chinese medicine also incorporates physiological concepts into its practices, reflecting a holistic approach to health.

Frequently Asked Questions about 生理

生理 refers specifically to the functions of living organisms, while 生物 refers to living organisms themselves.