‘Zhòng shǔ’ literally means ‘struck by summer heat’ — ‘zhòng’ (to be affected or struck by something) and ‘shǔ’ (extreme summer heat, especially oppressive, humid heat). Together, they form the medical term for heatstroke: a dangerous condition caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, leading to overheating of the body and potentially life-threatening symptoms like dizziness, nausea, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

This term is used exclusively in health and medical contexts — in hospitals, public safety announcements, weather advisories, or everyday warnings during hot weather. Unlike general terms for feeling hot (e.g., ‘feeling hot’ or ‘sweating’), ‘zhòng shǔ’ specifically denotes a serious, clinically recognized illness requiring prompt cooling and medical attention. It is not used metaphorically or casually; saying someone ‘zhòng shǔ’ implies genuine physical distress due to heat exposure.