Inpatient

IN-pay-shuhnt /ˈɪnˌpeɪʃənt/
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What it really means

A patient who stays in hospital at least one night for treatment. Inpatients are given a bed on a ward. NHS inpatient care is free, including meals.

Chinese explanation
住院病人：因治疗需要在医院至少过夜的病人，会被安排到病房的床位。NHS住院治疗免费，包括餐食。

Example conversation

A: Will I need to stay in after the operation? B: Yes, you'll be an inpatient for a night or two so we can monitor you.
A：手术后我需要住院吗？ B：需要，你要住院观察一两晚。

What you could say back

“What should I bring with me?”

Related phrases

Outpatient Ward Operation

Official sources

Rules and amounts change — confirm important details with the official source.

Go deeper

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Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team · Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake