健康

jiànkāng · HSK 2

healthy

💪 健 = strong/healthy + 康 = well-being; together: healthy & sound

健 (jiàn) means strong or robust, 康 (kāng) means peaceful well-being. The compound stacks two health-related characters for emphasis: physically strong plus generally well — sound in body and mind.

jiàn kāng · HSK 3

health

💪 健 = person + build (健身 = build body); 康 = ease, wellbeing

健 pairs 亻(person) with 建 (build/establish) — a person built up, strong. 康 originally depicted grain on a threshing frame, extended to 'abundance, ease.' Together 健康 = strong-and-at-ease = health.

More Chinese words · How Chinese works