‘初诊’ literally means ‘first diagnosis’ or ‘initial consultation’ and refers specifically to the first medical visit a patient makes to a doctor or clinic for a particular health concern. The character 初 (chū) means ‘first’ or ‘initial’, while 诊 (zhěn) means ‘to examine medically’ or ‘diagnosis’. Together, they form a formal, professional term used in hospitals, clinics, and health-related documents.

This word is commonly seen on appointment slips, medical records, and hospital signage — for example, ‘初诊挂号’ means ‘register for a first-time consultation’. It emphasizes that the patient has not previously consulted this provider about this condition. Unlike general terms like ‘看病’ (to see a doctor), 初诊 carries administrative and clinical weight, often triggering specific procedures such as filling out new-patient forms or comprehensive baseline assessments.