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B1 adjective #4,500 most common 7 min read

慢性

màn xìng Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 慢性 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 慢性 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '慢性' (mànxìng) often, but it's helpful to know it means 'slow' in a special way. Usually, you learn '慢' (màn) to say a car is slow or someone walks slowly. '慢性' is different. It is mostly used for '慢性病' (mànxìngbìng), which means a sickness that stays for a long time, like a bad cough that doesn't go away in a week. Think of it as 'Slow + Nature.' If a sickness has a 'slow nature,' it means it takes a long time to get better or it stays with you. You might hear a doctor say this word. Just remember: for speed, use '慢'; for a long-term sickness, use '慢性'.

By A2, you are starting to talk more about health and daily routines. '慢性' (mànxìng) becomes important when discussing family or doctor visits. You should recognize '慢性病' (chronic disease) as a single term. You might also hear '慢性子' (mànxìngzi) to describe a friend who is never in a hurry. In Chinese, we often add '性' to words to make them more formal or to describe a 'type' of something. So, '慢性' is the 'chronic type.' While you won't use it in every sentence, knowing that it describes things that develop slowly over months or years will help you understand health-related conversations and news headlines about wellness.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use '慢性' (mànxìng) accurately in its medical and metaphorical contexts. This word is an 'attributive adjective,' meaning it usually sits right in front of a noun. You should distinguish it from '长期' (chángqī - long term) and '急性' (jíxìng - acute). For example, if you have a sudden stomach ache, it is '急性'; if your stomach has hurt every day for three years, it is '慢性.' You can also use it for more abstract ideas like '慢性压力' (chronic stress) or '慢性自杀' (chronic suicide/self-destruction). It’s a key word for discussing social issues and health management in more detail.

At B2, you are expected to use '慢性' (mànxìng) in formal writing and professional discussions. You should understand its role in complex terms like '慢性中毒' (chronic poisoning) or '慢性疲劳综合症' (chronic fatigue syndrome). You should also be aware of the register: '慢性' is a formal, clinical term. In a debate about public health, you might use it to discuss the '慢性病负担' (burden of chronic diseases) on the economy. You should also be comfortable using its antonym '急性' to describe sudden shifts in situations. At this level, you should not confuse '慢性' with words describing low speed, such as '缓慢' or '迟缓'.

For C1 learners, '慢性' (mànxìng) is a tool for nuanced expression in academic or specialized fields. You might use it to describe '慢性通货膨胀' (chronic inflation) in an economics essay or '慢性社会问题' (chronic social problems) in a sociological analysis. The word implies a deep-seated, systemic nature that is resistant to quick fixes. You should be able to analyze how the 'slow-acting' nature of a '慢性' process differs from a 'stagnant' (停滞) one. At this level, your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's ability to categorize phenomena as persistent and evolving, rather than just 'long-lasting.'

At the C2 level, you should have a native-like grasp of '慢性' (mànxìng), including its subtle uses in literature and high-level technical discourse. You might encounter it in philosophical texts describing the '慢性消亡' (slow disappearance) of a culture or the '慢性侵蚀' (chronic erosion) of values. You understand that '慢性' carries an inherent weight of inevitability and persistence. You can use it to create sophisticated metaphors, perhaps describing a relationship's '慢性解体' (chronic disintegration). Your mastery includes knowing when *not* to use it, opting instead for even more specific terms like '痼疾' (long-standing bad habit/disease) or '积重难返' (deep-seated habits are hard to break) when the context demands higher literary flair.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

慢性 in 30 Seconds

慢性 (mànxìng) primarily means 'chronic' in a medical sense, referring to long-term illnesses.
It is also used for a person's temperament (慢性子) meaning slow-moving or patient.
Grammatically, it is an attributive adjective placed before nouns like 'disease' or 'poison'.
It contrasts with 急性 (jíxìng), which means 'acute' or 'sudden' onset.

The term 慢性 (mànxìng) is a vital adjective in the Chinese language, primarily used to describe conditions, processes, or behaviors that develop slowly and persist over a long duration. Etymologically, it is composed of two characters: 慢 (màn), meaning 'slow' or 'gradual,' and 性 (xìng), which refers to 'nature,' 'property,' or 'character.' Together, they literally translate to 'slow-natured.' In a medical context, this is the direct equivalent of the English word chronic, used to distinguish long-term health issues from 急性 (jíxìng) or 'acute' conditions that strike suddenly and intensely.

Medical Application: The most common usage is within healthcare. Doctors use it to categorize diseases like diabetes, hypertension, or persistent inflammation. For example, 慢性病 (mànxìngbìng) is the standard term for 'chronic disease.' Unlike a cold which is temporary, a 慢性 condition requires long-term management.
Metaphorical & Social Use: Beyond the clinic, 慢性 describes slow-acting influences. You might hear 慢性中毒 (mànxìng zhòngdú), referring to chronic poisoning (like lead exposure over years), or 慢性自杀 (mànxìng zìshā), a metaphorical 'slow suicide' used to describe extremely unhealthy lifestyles like heavy smoking or chronic sleep deprivation.

这种慢性疾病需要长期的药物治疗。(Zhè zhǒng mànxìng jíbìng xūyào chángqī de yàowù zhìliáo.)
— Translation: This chronic disease requires long-term medication.

Understanding 慢性 is crucial for B1 learners because it marks the transition from basic survival Chinese to being able to discuss health, well-being, and complex cause-and-effect relationships. It is a formal, precise word. While you might use '慢' (slow) to describe a car, you would never use it to describe a disease; you must use 慢性 to indicate the temporal nature of the condition.

In modern society, the term has gained traction in discussions about mental health and workplace culture. People talk about 慢性压力 (mànxìng yālì) or chronic stress, highlighting that the problem isn't a single bad day, but a sustained, wearing force. This word allows speakers to articulate the weight of time on a particular state of being.

Grammatically, 慢性 (mànxìng) functions as an attributive adjective. This means it almost always appears directly before the noun it modifies, often without the particle '的' (de), although '的' can be used for emphasis. Its primary role is to categorize the noun into a specific 'slow-acting' or 'long-term' class.

Pattern: 慢性 + Noun: This is the most standard structure. Common nouns include 病 (disease), 疼痛 (pain), 毒 (poison), and 炎症 (inflammation). Example: 慢性胃炎 (mànxìng wèiyán) - Chronic gastritis.
Pattern: 慢性 + Abstract Concept: Used to describe persistent social or psychological issues. Example: 慢性失业 (mànxìng shīyè) - Chronic unemployment (referring to systemic, long-term joblessness).

长期熬夜等于慢性自杀。(Chángqī áoyè děngyú mànxìng zìshā.)
— Translation: Staying up late long-term is equivalent to chronic suicide.

When using 慢性, the speaker implies a sense of 'accumulation.' It is not just about duration, but about the gradual buildup of effects. For instance, 慢性中毒 implies that the poison was ingested in small amounts over a long period, rather than a single lethal dose. This distinction is vital for accurate communication in technical or formal settings.

In professional writing, especially in medical reports or sociological papers, 慢性 is used to define the scope of a study. If a paper discusses '慢性疲劳综合症' (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), the word 慢性 establishes the clinical criteria for the condition. It provides a level of formality and scientific accuracy that simpler words like '久' (long time) cannot achieve.

You will encounter 慢性 (mànxìng) in several distinct environments, ranging from the sterile halls of a hospital to the vibrant headlines of health magazines and even in casual conversations about personality types.

1. Hospitals and Pharmacies: This is the primary domain. You'll see signs for 慢性病门诊 (mànxìngbìng ménzhěn)—outpatient clinics for chronic diseases. Pharmacists will use it when explaining that a medication is for long-term control rather than immediate relief.
2. Health and Wellness Media: Apps like WeChat or health blogs frequently post articles on 如何预防慢性病 (How to prevent chronic diseases). The word is synonymous with modern lifestyle issues, often linked to diet, exercise, and stress management.
3. Personal Temperament (The 'Zi' Variant): In daily life, you'll hear 慢性子 (mànxìngzi). Friends might say, "他是个慢性子" (He is a slowcoach/slow-tempered person). This refers to someone who doesn't rush, takes their time to make decisions, and rarely gets agitated.

我爷爷患有慢性支气管炎，一到冬天就咳嗽。(Wǒ yéye huàn yǒu mànxìng zhīqìguǎnyán, yī dào dōngtiān jiù késou.)
— Translation: My grandfather suffers from chronic bronchitis; he coughs as soon as winter arrives.

In educational settings, teachers might use it to describe a 慢性过程 (slow process) of learning or development. It emphasizes that progress isn't instantaneous but happens through steady, long-term accumulation. This usage is more common in lectures or formal speeches than in a playground setting.

While 慢性 (mànxìng) seems straightforward, English speakers often misapply it due to the different ways 'slow' and 'chronic' function in English versus Chinese.

Mistake 1: Using it for physical speed: You cannot say "这个车很慢性" to mean the car is slow. 慢性 describes a property of duration and progression, not velocity. For speed, always use 慢 (màn).
Mistake 2: Confusing 慢性 with 长期 (chángqī): While related, 长期 means 'long-term' (a duration) while 慢性 means 'chronic' (a nature). You can have a 长期目标 (long-term goal), but a 慢性目标 would sound nonsensical unless the goal itself was 'slow-natured' by definition.

Incorrect: 他走得很慢性。
Correct: 他走得很慢。
— Note: You cannot use 慢性 to describe the speed of an action like walking.

Another subtle mistake is the misplacement of the character '子' (zi). As mentioned, 慢性子 is for people. If you say "他的病是慢性子" (His illness is a slow-natured person), it sounds like a personification error. Conversely, calling someone a "慢性人" (chronic person) is incorrect; the idiomatic form is always 慢性子.

Finally, ensure you don't use 慢性 to describe a 'slow' movie or a 'slow' book. For entertainment that lacks pace, Chinese uses words like 节奏慢 (jiézòu màn) or 平淡 (píngdàn). Using 慢性 in these contexts would make it sound like the movie is a medical condition.

To truly master 慢性 (mànxìng), you must understand its place within a cluster of related terms that describe time, speed, and duration in Chinese.

慢性 (mànxìng) vs. 急性 (jíxìng): These are direct antonyms in a medical context. 急性 refers to something sudden, sharp, and urgent. A 急性发作 is an acute attack (like an asthma attack), whereas 慢性病 is the underlying chronic condition. Use 急性 when there is immediate danger or rapid onset.
慢性 (mànxìng) vs. 长期 (chángqī): As discussed, 长期 is purely about the 'long time' duration. You can have a '长期合作' (long-term cooperation), but never a '慢性合作.' 慢性 is reserved for things that have an internal 'slow' mechanism, like biological or chemical processes.
慢性 (mànxìng) vs. 缓慢 (huǎnmàn): 缓慢 is a more formal way to say 'slow' in terms of speed. For example, '经济增长缓慢' (economic growth is slow). While 慢性 can describe a slow process, 缓慢 is much more common for describing the rate of change in statistics or movement.

Word Best Context Example
慢性 Medical/Technical 慢性鼻炎 (Chronic rhinitis)
长期 Time Duration 长期居留 (Long-term residence)
缓慢 Speed/Rate 动作缓慢 (Slow movements)

Word	Best Context	Example
慢性	Medical/Technical	慢性鼻炎 (Chronic rhinitis)
长期	Time Duration	长期居留 (Long-term residence)
缓慢	Speed/Rate	动作缓慢 (Slow movements)

In some poetic or literary contexts, you might see 悠长 (yōucháng), which means long and drawn out, often used for sounds or memories. This carries a nostalgic or aesthetic tone that 慢性 entirely lacks. 慢性 is clinical, objective, and often carries a negative connotation (as most chronic things are diseases or poisons).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, '慢' was often used to describe a lack of respect (being slow to respond to a superior). Now it's just about speed or duration!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /màn ɕîŋ/

US /màn ɕîŋ/

Equal stress on both syllables, though the first character sets the tone.

Rhymes With

硬 (yìng) 定 (dìng) 镜 (jìng) 病 (bìng) 命 (mìng) 庆 (qìng) 性 (xìng) 静 (jìng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xìng' as 'shing' (English style).
Using the wrong tone for 'màn' (making it rising instead of falling).
Confusing the 'x' sound with 'ch'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize if you know '慢' and '性'.

Writing 4/5

Writing '性' requires attention to the radical.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward but tones must be clear.

Listening 3/5

Common in medical and news contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

慢性病人时间

Learn Next

急性症状诊断治疗预防

Advanced

顽疾痼疾弥漫性系统性代谢性

Grammar to Know

Attributive Adjectives (Pre-noun)

慢性病 (No 'de' needed usually)

The '-xìng' suffix for properties

可能性, 危险性, 慢性

Contrastive Pairs

急性 vs 慢性

Noun compounding

慢性 + 疾病 = 慢性疾病

Using 'shì...de' for emphasis

他的病是慢性的。

Examples by Level

他不快，他是慢性子。

He is not fast; he is a slow-tempered person.

慢性子 is a common noun/adjective for personality.

这是慢性病吗？

Is this a chronic disease?

Simple question structure.

我的奶奶有慢性病。

My grandmother has a chronic illness.

Possessive structure with '有'.

慢性病需要吃药。

Chronic diseases require taking medicine.

General statement.

他走路很慢，不是慢性。

He walks slowly, it's not 'chronic'.

Distinguishing 慢 from 慢性.

医生说这是慢性的。

The doctor says this is chronic.

Using '的' to form an adjective phrase.

慢性疼痛很辛苦。

Chronic pain is very hard (to bear).

Subject + Adjective.

这不是急性的，是慢性的。

This isn't acute, it's chronic.

Contrastive structure.

慢性病管理非常重要。

Chronic disease management is very important.

Noun phrase as subject.

他患有慢性咽炎。

He suffers from chronic pharyngitis (sore throat).

Formal verb '患有' (suffer from).

这种药对慢性病有效。

This medicine is effective for chronic diseases.

Prepositional phrase '对...有效'.

慢性子的人不容易生气。

Slow-tempered people don't get angry easily.

Describing a type of person.

我们要预防慢性疾病。

We need to prevent chronic diseases.

Verb '预防' (prevent) + Object.

慢性病通常需要长期治疗。

Chronic diseases usually need long-term treatment.

Adverb '通常' (usually).

他的咳嗽变成慢性的了。

His cough has become chronic.

Change of state with '变成...了'.

慢性的压力对身体不好。

Chronic stress is bad for the body.

Abstract noun modification.

长期不运动是慢性自杀。

Not exercising for a long time is chronic suicide.

Metaphorical use of 慢性.

医生正在检查他的慢性腰痛。

The doctor is checking his chronic lower back pain.

Present continuous with '正在'.

慢性中毒的症状很难发现。

Symptoms of chronic poisoning are hard to detect.

Complex subject phrase.

她受够了这种慢性的折磨。

She has had enough of this chronic torture (suffering).

Idiomatic '受够了' (had enough).

慢性病患者需要家人的支持。

Chronic disease patients need support from their families.

Compound noun '慢性病患者'.

这种化学物质会导致慢性损伤。

This chemical can cause chronic damage.

Causal verb '导致' (lead to).

他虽然是慢性子，但做事很细心。

Although he is slow-tempered, he is very careful in his work.

Conjunction '虽然...但...'.

慢性炎症可能引发更严重的问题。

Chronic inflammation may trigger more serious problems.

Modal verb '可能' (might).

慢性疲劳综合症在都市人中很常见。

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is very common among city dwellers.

Specific medical terminology.

我们需要一套完善的慢性病防控体系。

We need a complete prevention and control system for chronic diseases.

Formal administrative language.

慢性失业会严重打击一个人的自信心。

Chronic unemployment can severely strike a person's self-confidence.

Sociological application.

这种药物的副作用是慢性的。

The side effects of this drug are chronic (long-term).

Attributive use with '是...的'.

空气污染对肺部造成了慢性损害。

Air pollution has caused chronic damage to the lungs.

Resultative verb '造成' (cause).

他试图摆脱这种慢性的焦虑感。

He is trying to get rid of this chronic sense of anxiety.

Verb '摆脱' (break away from).

慢性病已经成为全球性的健康挑战。

Chronic diseases have become a global health challenge.

Present perfect with '已经...成为'.

这种慢性过程往往被人们所忽视。

This chronic process is often overlooked by people.

Passive-like structure with '被...所'.

该地区的经济陷入了慢性衰退。

The region's economy has fallen into a chronic recession.

Economic context.

制度性的缺失导致了慢性的社会不公。

Institutional deficiencies have led to chronic social injustice.

Abstract political analysis.

这种慢性侵蚀正在破坏历史建筑的结构。

This chronic erosion is destroying the structure of historical buildings.

Technical/Scientific context.

他将这种平庸的生活视为一种慢性自杀。

He regards this mediocre life as a form of chronic suicide.

Philosophical/Literary usage.

慢性疼痛的心理影响不容小觑。

The psychological impact of chronic pain should not be underestimated.

Idiom '不容小觑' (not to be underestimated).

政府应加强对慢性病药物的补贴力度。

The government should strengthen the intensity of subsidies for chronic disease medications.

Policy-oriented language.

这是一种慢性累积的结果，而非偶然。

This is a result of chronic accumulation, not an accident.

Contrastive '而非' (rather than).

慢性肾衰竭需要定期的血液透析。

Chronic renal failure requires regular hemodialysis.

Highly specific medical term.

该剧深刻地揭示了现代文明中的慢性孤独。

The play profoundly reveals the chronic loneliness in modern civilization.

Literary criticism.

腐败如同一场慢性瘟疫，吞噬着社会的根基。

Corruption is like a chronic plague, devouring the foundations of society.

Metaphorical/Rhetorical device.

这种慢性化的冲突使得和平协议难以达成。

This chronicized conflict makes a peace agreement difficult to reach.

Suffix '-化' (to make/become).

作者以慢性的叙事节奏构建了一个宏大的世界。

The author constructed a grand world with a chronic (slow-paced) narrative rhythm.

Stylistic description.

慢性缺氧会对高原居民的生理机能产生深远影响。

Chronic hypoxia will have profound effects on the physiological functions of plateau residents.

Scientific/Biological discourse.

这种慢性的情感疏离最终导致了家庭的解体。

This chronic emotional alienation eventually led to the disintegration of the family.

Psychological analysis.

我们需要警惕那种慢性渗透的文化霸权。

We need to be vigilant against that kind of chronically permeating cultural hegemony.

Sociopolitical theory.

慢性毒性实验旨在评估长期接触化学品的风险。

Chronic toxicity experiments aim to evaluate the risks of long-term exposure to chemicals.

Laboratory/Research terminology.

Common Collocations

慢性病

慢性疼痛

慢性中毒

慢性自杀

慢性压力

慢性炎症

慢性子

慢性肾病

慢性过程

慢性失业

Common Phrases

慢性病管理

— The management of chronic diseases.

社区慢性病管理服务。

慢性疲劳

— Long-term tiredness or fatigue.

他一直感到慢性疲劳。

慢性胃炎

— Long-term inflammation of the stomach lining.

慢性胃炎需要注意饮食。

慢性毒性

— Toxicity that appears after long-term exposure.

测试这种农药的慢性毒性。

慢性化

— The process of becoming chronic.

防止小病慢性化。

慢性咳嗽

— A persistent cough.

慢性咳嗽可能是过敏引起的。

慢性阻塞性肺疾病

— COPD (a serious lung condition).

吸烟是该病的主要原因。

慢性创伤

— Long-term trauma (physical or psychological).

处理童年时期的慢性创伤。

慢性支气管炎

— Chronic bronchitis.

冬天是慢性支气管炎的高发期。

慢性腰腿痛

— Chronic back and leg pain.

老年人常有慢性腰腿痛。

Often Confused With

慢性 vs 慢 (màn)

Refers only to speed. You can't say 'a chronic car'.

慢性 vs 长期 (chángqī)

Refers to duration only. 慢性 refers to the nature of the slow progression.

慢性 vs 缓慢 (huǎnmàn)

Formal word for slow speed, not for medical conditions.

Idioms & Expressions

"慢性自杀"

— Metaphorically doing something that slowly destroys oneself.

熬夜就是慢性自杀。

Common

"慢条斯理"

— Doing things calmly and slowly (related to 'slow').

他慢条斯理地吃着饭。

Idiomatic

"病入膏肓"

— A disease that has become so chronic it is incurable.

他的烟瘾已经病入膏肓了。

Literary

"积重难返"

— Long-standing problems that are hard to change (chronic issues).

公司的官僚主义已经积重难返。

Formal

"久病成医"

— One becomes a doctor after a long chronic illness.

他患病多年，真是久病成医。

Proverb

"细水长流"

— Thin streams flow long (slow and steady).

生活要细水长流。

Positive

"慢工出细活"

— Slow work produces fine products.

别急，慢工出细活。

Proverb

"老毛病"

— An old (chronic) problem or habit.

他的老毛病又犯了。

Informal

"根深蒂固"

— Deeply rooted (like a chronic belief).

这种偏见根深蒂固。

Formal

"死缠烂打"

— Persistent and annoying behavior (metaphorically chronic).

他死缠烂打地要求加薪。

Informal

Easily Confused

慢性 vs 急性 (jíxìng)

Direct opposite.

Acute (sudden/sharp) vs Chronic (slow/persistent).

急性肠炎 vs 慢性肠炎

慢性 vs 延迟 (yánchí)

Both involve time delay.

Delay (starting late) vs Chronic (lasting long).

会议延迟了 vs 慢性疼痛

慢性 vs 迟缓 (chíhuǎn)

Both mean slow.

Sluggish/Delayed (action) vs Chronic (condition nature).

动作迟缓 vs 慢性疾病

慢性 vs 顽固 (wángù)

Both mean hard to get rid of.

Stubborn (attitude/germ) vs Chronic (temporal nature).

顽固的污渍 vs 慢性病

慢性 vs 痼疾 (gùjí)

Both mean chronic disease.

痼疾 is very formal/literary; 慢性病 is common.

这已成为社会的痼疾。

Sentence Patterns

我有[慢性病]。

我有慢性鼻炎。

[Bad Habit]是慢性自杀。

抽烟是慢性自杀。

他是个[慢性子]。

他是个出名的慢性子。

这种药用于治疗[慢性...]。

这种药用于治疗慢性疼痛。

长期[...]会导致慢性损害。

长期熬夜会导致慢性损害。

该问题呈现出[慢性化]趋势。

失业问题呈现出慢性化趋势。

由于[...]，他患上了慢性病。

由于过度劳累，他患上了慢性病。

[...]如同一场慢性的[...]。

这种偏见如同一场慢性的瘟疫。

Word Family

Nouns

慢性病

慢性子

慢性化

Verbs

慢性化 (to become chronic)

Adjectives

慢性

慢性的

慢

急性

性质

缓慢

性格

How to Use It

frequency

Common in medical, health, and psychological discussions.

Common Mistakes

这个车很慢性。 → 这个车很慢。
慢性 is for nature/duration, not for the speed of a vehicle.
他是一个慢性人。 → 他是一个慢性子。
The idiomatic way to describe a slow person is 慢性子.
慢性计划 → 长期计划
A plan has a duration (长期), not a biological/chronic nature (慢性).
他的病很慢性。 → 他的病是慢性的。
慢性 is an attributive adjective; it doesn't take '很'.
急性子病 → 急性病
Don't add 'zi' to medical terms; 'zi' is for people's temperament.

Tips

No 'Hen'

Don't use '很' with 慢性. Say '是慢性的' instead of '很慢性'.

Medical Pair

Always learn 慢性 and 急性 together as a pair.

TCM Context

In China, 慢性病 is often treated with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).

Person vs Disease

Add 'zi' for people (慢性子), keep it for diseases (慢性病).

News Buzzword

Listen for it in news about 'lifestyle diseases' (文明病).

Formal Tone

Use 慢性 in reports to sound more scientific.

Slow Nature

Remember: 慢 (Slow) + 性 (Nature) = Chronic.

vs Chángqī

Chángqī = Length of time. Mànxìng = Nature of the process.

Tone Accuracy

Both characters are 4th tone. Drop your voice twice!

Daily Metaphor

Try calling your bad habits '慢性自杀' to remember the word.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Man' (慢) who has a 'Sing' (性) nature—he takes a long time to finish a song. It's chronic!

Visual Association

Imagine a turtle (慢) wearing a doctor's stethoscope (性 - medical nature).

Word Web

慢性病 (Disease) 慢性子 (Person) 慢性中毒 (Poisoning) 急性 (Antonym) 慢 (Root) 性质 (Nature) 医生 (Doctor) 长期 (Long-term)

Challenge

Try to list three habits you have that might be called '慢性自杀' (chronic suicide), like drinking too much soda!

Word Origin

From Middle Chinese. '慢' (màn) originally meant 'neglectful' or 'slow'. '性' (xìng) represents 'heart/mind' (忄) and 'birth/growth' (生), meaning innate nature.

Original meaning: The slow or gradual nature of a thing.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 慢性子 to describe someone; it can imply they are lazy or inefficient in a high-pressure work environment.

In English, 'chronic' can be slang for 'bad' or 'persistent' (chronic liar). In Chinese, 慢性 is much more literal and clinical.

慢性病防治计划 (National Chronic Disease Prevention Plans in China) 慢性子和急性子 (A famous children's fable about a slow person and a fast person)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor's

我有慢性胃病。
这是慢性的吗？
需要长期服药吗？
怎么缓解慢性疼痛？

Discussing Personality

他是慢性子。
别催他，他慢性子。
慢性子的人细心。
我受不了慢性子。

Health News

慢性病发病率。
预防慢性病。
慢性病管理。
关注慢性健康。

Science/Chemistry

慢性中毒。
慢性毒性实验。
慢性损伤。
长期接触。

Social Commentary

慢性社会问题。
慢性失业。
慢性自杀。
这种现象是慢性的。

Conversation Starters

"你觉得慢性子的人在工作中有什么优势吗？"

"你家里有老人患有慢性病需要照顾吗？"

"你认为现代人的哪些生活习惯是慢性自杀？"

"如果一种病变成了慢性的，你觉得最难的是什么？"

"你听过‘慢性疲劳综合症’这个词吗？"

Journal Prompts

描述一个你认识的‘慢性子’的人，以及他是如何影响周围人的。

写一写你对‘长期压力导致慢性健康问题’的看法。

如果你发现自己有慢性拖延症，你会如何尝试改变它？

讨论一下为什么现代社会中慢性病的发病率越来越高。

想象一个没有慢性病的世界，那会是什么样子的？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but you must add '子' to make it '慢性子' (mànxìngzi). Just '慢性' is usually medical.

Usually, yes. It describes diseases, poisons, or slow-acting problems. However, '慢性子' can be neutral or even positive (patient).

The medical opposite is 急性 (jíxìng), meaning acute or sudden.

No. Use '慢步' (mànbù) or '慢慢走'. 慢性 is not for physical speed.

It is '慢性病' (mànxìngbìng) or '慢性疾病' (mànxìng jíbìng).

Yes, in formal contexts like '慢性通货膨胀' (chronic inflation).

Yes, it is a formal adjective. In casual speech, people might just say '老毛病' for chronic issues.

It's a metaphor for habits (like smoking) that slowly kill you over time.

Yes, it means 'to become chronic.' Example: '防止急性病慢性化'.

No. Use '节奏慢' (jiézòu màn) for a slow-paced movie.