挂号

掛號

guàhào

verb HSK 7 #35,884

Meanings

1 to register (at a hospital)
2 to send by registered mail

Characters

to hang; to register

Literally 'hang a number' — to get your number in the queue.

Examples

看病之前要先挂号。

Kànbìng zhīqián yào xiān guàhào.

You need to register before seeing a doctor.

我挂了专家号。

Wǒ guà le zhuānjiā hào.

I registered for a specialist appointment.

这封信要挂号寄。

Zhè fēng xìn yào guàhào jì.

This letter should be sent by registered mail.

Tips

culture

In Chinese hospitals, you don't just walk in — you must 挂号 first at the registration window, choosing a department and sometimes a specific doctor. Specialist slots (专家号) fill up fast. Nowadays most people 挂号 via apps like 微医 or hospital WeChat accounts.

Stroke Order

挂 guà

号 hào