'保健' (bǎojiàn) literally combines '保' (bǎo), meaning 'to protect' or 'to preserve', and '健' (jiàn), meaning 'healthy' or 'robust'. Together, they form a noun meaning 'health preservation' — the practice of maintaining physical and mental well-being through preventive measures like balanced diet, regular exercise, adequate rest, and stress management. It emphasizes proactive care rather than treatment after illness.

This term is widely used in formal and semi-formal contexts: public health campaigns, medical advice, fitness programs, and product labeling (e.g., '保健食品' — health supplements). Unlike clinical terms like '治疗' (treatment), '保健' carries a holistic, everyday wellness connotation and often appears in compound words such as '保健医生' (wellness physician) or '保健操' (health-preserving calisthenics). It reflects a core cultural value in Chinese society — prioritizing long-term vitality over short-term symptom relief.