This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 noun #6,000 most common 8 min read

病症

bìngzhèng Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 病症 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 病症 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '病症' (bìngzhèng) yet. Instead, you focus on the basic verb '生病' (shēngbìng), which means 'to get sick'. You might say '我生病了' (I am sick) or '他不舒服' (He is not feeling well). You learn simple body parts and basic symptoms like '发烧' (fever) or '咳嗽' (cough). At this stage, '病' is just a general word for 'illness'. You are learning the building blocks of the language, and '病症' would be too formal and complex for daily survival Chinese. However, knowing that '病' means 'sick' will help you later when you encounter '病症'.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your vocabulary about health. You might start seeing '病症' in simple health brochures or signs in a pharmacy. While you still primarily use '生病' and '感冒' (cold), you are now able to describe your '症状' (symptoms) to a doctor in a basic way. You might understand that '病症' refers to 'the thing that is wrong with you'. You are moving beyond just saying 'I'm sick' to identifying that there is a 'condition'. You might see this word in a reading passage about a famous person who had a specific 'illness'.

At the B1 level, '病症' becomes a very useful word. You are now expected to handle more formal situations, like a real medical consultation or reading a detailed news report about health. You understand that '病症' is a formal way to say 'illness' or 'symptom complex'. You can use it to talk about '心理病症' (psychological conditions) or '慢性病症' (chronic illnesses). You start to distinguish it from '症状' (specific symptoms). At this level, using '病症' shows that you have a more professional grasp of the language and can discuss health issues with more precision than a beginner.

At the B2 level, you use '病症' fluently in both medical and metaphorical contexts. You can discuss the '病症' of a society, such as corruption or inequality, using the word to mean 'ills' or 'deep-seated problems'. You are comfortable reading medical articles where '病症' is used to describe the clinical presentation of diseases. You understand the nuances between '病症', '疾病', and '症候'. You can participate in debates about healthcare policy and use this term to refer to the various conditions that the healthcare system needs to address. Your vocabulary is now sophisticated enough to use this word in professional writing.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the word '病症'. You can recognize its use in classical-style modern prose and technical medical journals. You understand the etymological roots of the characters and how they contribute to the word's meaning. You can use '病症' to describe subtle pathological changes or complex syndromes. In literary analysis, you might discuss how an author uses a character's '病症' as a symbol for a larger theme. You are also aware of regional variations in medical terminology and how '病症' fits into the standardized medical lexicon of mainland China vs. other regions.

At the C2 level, '病症' is a tool you use with precision and flair. You can engage in high-level academic discussions about pathology, history of medicine, or sociology where '病症' is a key concept. You might use it in a legal context to describe a 'medical condition' in a forensic report. You are fully aware of the metaphorical power of the word and can use it to write compelling social critiques or philosophical essays. You understand the most obscure medical contexts where '病症' might appear and can explain the subtle differences between this term and its archaic predecessors. You are indistinguishable from a native speaker in your use of this formal term.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

病症 in 30 Seconds

A formal noun meaning illness, disease, or symptom complex.
Commonly used in medical, news, and academic contexts.
Consists of 'illness' (病) and 'symptom' (症).
Can be used metaphorically to describe societal 'ills'.

The Chinese term 病症 (bìngzhèng) is a formal noun that encapsulates the concept of an illness, a disease, or the specific symptoms associated with a medical condition. While a beginner might simply use 生病 (shēngbìng) to say they are sick, an intermediate learner at the B1 level uses 病症 to discuss the nature of the ailment itself. It is composed of two characters: 病 (bìng), meaning illness or sickness, and 症 (zhèng), which refers to symptoms or a disease's manifestation. Together, they form a word that is frequently heard in clinical settings, news reports, and formal discussions about health. In modern Mandarin, it serves as a bridge between the general idea of feeling unwell and the specific medical diagnosis of a condition.

Clinical Identification: When a doctor identifies a specific pattern of health issues, they refer to the complex as a 病症. It encompasses both the underlying cause and the observable signs.

这种罕见的病症在医学界引起了广泛关注。(This rare disease has garnered widespread attention in the medical community.)

The usage of 病症 is distinct from 症状 (zhèngzhuàng). While 症状 refers specifically to the symptoms (like a cough or fever), 病症 often implies the disease entity as a whole or the clinical presentation of that disease. You use it when you want to sound more precise and professional. For instance, in a pharmaceutical advertisement, you will hear about the 病症 the medicine treats, rather than just saying it's for 'being sick'. It is also used metaphorically in social commentary to describe 'social ills' or deep-seated systemic problems within a society, reflecting a 'sick' state of affairs that requires a 'cure'.

Formal Reporting: Journalists use this term when reporting on outbreaks or health statistics to maintain an objective and professional tone.

医生正在仔细检查病人的病症。(The doctor is carefully examining the patient's symptoms/illness.)

In the context of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), 病症 is often analyzed through the lens of 'patterns' (辨证论治). Here, the term takes on a deeper meaning of identifying the specific imbalance in the body's Qi or blood. Understanding this word helps you navigate healthcare in a Chinese-speaking environment, allowing you to discuss health concerns with a level of sophistication that goes beyond basic survival phrases.

Using 病症 correctly involves understanding its role as a formal noun. It usually functions as the object of verbs like 诊断 (zhěnduàn - to diagnose), 发现 (fāxiàn - to discover), or 描述 (miáoshù - to describe). It can also be modified by adjectives to specify the type of illness, such as 心理病症 (xīnlǐ bìngzhèng - psychological condition) or 慢性病症 (mànxìng bìngzhèng - chronic illness).

Verb + Object Pattern: Common verbs: 治疗 (treat), 减轻 (alleviate), 观察 (observe). Example: 这种药物可以减轻呼吸道病症。

他的病症已经得到了有效的控制。(His illness has been effectively controlled.)

When describing a patient's condition, 病症 acts as the noun representing the ailment. For example, '他的病症很严重' (His condition/illness is very serious). Note that you wouldn't typically say '我有一个病症' in casual conversation; instead, you'd say '我生病了'. 病症 is reserved for when you are talking about the illness as a specific entity or a subject of study. It often appears in the structure '[Adjective] + 的 + 病症'.

Subject Position: Example: 病症的起因尚不明确。(The cause of the illness is not yet clear.)

医生根据各种病症做出了判断。(The doctor made a judgment based on various symptoms/signs.)

Furthermore, in metaphorical contexts, you can use it to describe societal problems. For instance, '贪污是社会的病症' (Corruption is a societal ill). This elevates your speech from simple descriptions to analytical commentary. In academic writing, 病症 is preferred over 病 because it sounds more scientific and encompasses the systematic nature of a disease. It allows for a more detailed discussion of pathology and clinical manifestations without sounding overly colloquial.

You are most likely to encounter 病症 in professional and semi-professional environments. Hospitals are the primary location; when you walk into a Chinese hospital (医院), the signs, patient forms, and doctor's notes will frequently use this term. If you watch Chinese medical dramas like 急诊科医生 (Emergency Physician), the characters will use 病症 when discussing cases in the consultation room. It provides a layer of realism to the dialogue that simple terms like 'sick' would lack.

News and Media: During health crises or when reporting on new medical breakthroughs, news anchors will use 病症 to describe the conditions being discussed.

新闻报道了这种新型病症的传播途径。(The news reported on the transmission routes of this new illness.)

Another common place is in the instructions of over-the-counter medicines. Under the 'Indications' (适应症) or 'Main Symptoms' section, you will see 病症 used to list what the medicine is intended to treat. Health-related podcasts and educational videos on platforms like Bilibili or WeChat Channels also use this term when explaining how to identify certain health issues at home. It is a key word for anyone interested in health and wellness in the Sinosphere.

Academic Lectures: In biology or medical classes, professors use 病症 to categorize different types of pathologies.

教授详细讲解了阿尔茨海默症的各种病症。(The professor explained in detail the various symptoms/manifestations of Alzheimer's.)

Finally, in literature, especially in realist fiction, authors use 病症 to add a layer of clinical coldness or precise observation to a character's suffering. It can also appear in philosophical texts where a 'sick mind' or 'sick society' is analyzed. By recognizing 病症, you gain access to a wide array of high-level content, from medical journals to sophisticated social critiques, making it an essential part of the B1-B2 vocabulary transition.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is confusing 病症 (bìngzhèng) with 症状 (zhèngzhuàng). While they are related, they are not perfectly interchangeable. 症状 refers specifically to the 'symptoms' (the things the patient feels or the doctor sees, like a cough). 病症 is broader, often referring to the 'disease' or the 'medical condition' itself. If you say '我的病症是发烧' (My illness is a fever), it sounds slightly off; '我的症状是发烧' is more natural because a fever is a symptom, not the whole disease.

Confusion with 疾病 (jíbìng): 疾病 is the general word for 'disease'. 病症 focuses more on the clinical manifestation and the identification of the sickness. You use 疾病 for broad categories (e.g., heart disease), while 病症 is used when discussing the specific signs or the clinical state of a patient.

错误: 我感冒的病症是头疼。(Incorrect: The 'disease' of my cold is a headache.)
正确: 我感冒的症状是头疼。(Correct: The 'symptom' of my cold is a headache.)

Another mistake is using 病症 in very informal, everyday speech. If you tell your friend '我有病症' (I have an illness/symptom), it sounds like you are reading from a medical textbook. Instead, just say '我病了' (I'm sick) or '我不舒服' (I don't feel well). 病症 belongs in the doctor's office or in a formal report. Using it too casually can make you sound detached or overly clinical.

Character Confusion: Do not confuse 症 (zhèng) with 证 (zhèng). While they sound the same, 症 is for medical symptoms, while 证 is for evidence, certificates, or proofs (though in TCM, 辨证 uses the 'evidence' character).

请注意，在现代汉语中，描述疾病时应使用“症”。(Please note, in modern Chinese, use '症' when describing diseases.)

Finally, learners sometimes forget that 病症 can be used metaphorically. Forgetting this limits your ability to understand social critiques. However, when using it metaphorically, ensure the context is clear, or it might be taken literally as a physical health issue. Balancing the clinical and metaphorical uses is key to mastering this word.

To truly master 病症, you must see how it fits into the broader family of health-related vocabulary. There are several words that are synonyms or near-synonyms, each with its own nuance and register. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

病症 vs. 症状 (zhèngzhuàng): 病症: The disease or condition as a whole (e.g., 'This illness is hard to cure').
症状: The specific signs or symptoms (e.g., 'Fever is a symptom of the flu').
病症 vs. 疾病 (jíbìng): 疾病: A general, scientific term for 'disease' or 'malady'. It is the most formal and broad term.
病症: Focuses more on the clinical manifestation and the specific state of the patient's illness.
病症 vs. 恙 (yàng): 恙: A literary and very formal term for illness. You mostly see it in the phrase '别来无恙' (I hope you have been well since we last met). You wouldn't use this in a medical report.

虽然病症复杂，但只要配合治疗就有希望。(Although the illness is complex, there is hope as long as you cooperate with the treatment.)

Another related term is 症候 (zhènghòu), which is often translated as 'syndrome' or 'signs of a disease'. This is even more technical than 病症 and is frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to describe a set of symptoms that point to a specific internal imbalance. For general health discussions, 病症 remains the most versatile intermediate-to-advanced choice. When in doubt, 病 (bìng) is the safest and most common root, but 病症 adds the precision needed for professional communication.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The radical 疒 represents a person leaning on a bed or a frame, symbolizing weakness and the need for support during illness.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /biŋ dʒʌŋ/

US /biŋ dʒʌŋ/

The stress is balanced, with a heavy fall on the second syllable due to the 4th tone.

Rhymes With

硬 (yìng) 镜 (jìng) 定 (dìng) 命 (mìng) 性 (xìng) 应 (yìng) 正 (zhèng) 盛 (shèng)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zhèng' as 'zèng' (missing the 'h').
Using the wrong tone for 'Bìng' (it should be 4th tone, but often mispronounced as 1st).
Confusing the nasal 'ng' ending with 'n'.
Pronouncing 'zhèng' like the English word 'zheng' (rhyming with 'hang').
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'píngzhēng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the 'sickness' radical, but requires distinguishing between similar characters.

Writing 4/5

The character '症' has many strokes and '病' requires proper radical placement.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, but tones must be precise to avoid confusion.

Listening 3/5

Clearly distinguishable in medical contexts due to the 'zhèng' sound.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

病生病医生医院身体

Learn Next

症状诊断治疗康复并发症

Advanced

病理学辨证论治临床表现顽疾宿疾

Grammar to Know

The '的' Particle in Noun Phrases

罕见的病症 (Rare illness)

Resultative Complements (出)

诊断出病症 (Diagnose the illness)

Preposition '针对' (Against/For)

针对这种病症的药 (Medicine for this illness)

Subject-Predicate as Attribute

他描述的病症 (The symptoms/illness he described)

Measure words for illnesses

一种病症 (One kind of illness)

Examples by Level

我生病了。

I am sick.

A1 uses '生病' instead of '病症'.

他头疼。

He has a headache.

Simple symptom description.

医生在哪儿？

Where is the doctor?

Basic hospital vocabulary.

吃药吧。

Take some medicine.

Basic advice.

我不舒服。

I don't feel well.

Common expression for illness.

多喝水。

Drink more water.

Simple command.

感冒很辛苦。

A cold is very tough.

Describing an illness.

他没去学校。

He didn't go to school.

Consequence of illness.

这种病症很少见。

This illness is very rare.

Using '病症' with '少见' (rare).

你的病症严重吗？

Is your condition serious?

Asking about the severity of an illness.

医生在看他的病症。

The doctor is looking at his symptoms/illness.

Subject-Verb-Object structure.

我不知道这个病症的名字。

I don't know the name of this illness.

Possessive '的' construction.

这种病症会传染吗？

Is this disease contagious?

Asking about transmission.

他描述了他的病症。

He described his symptoms/illness.

Verb '描述' (describe) + '病症'.

这个病症需要休息。

This condition requires rest.

Verb '需要' (need) + noun.

医院里有很多病症。

There are many illnesses in the hospital.

Locative '里' + '有'.

医生诊断出了他的病症。

The doctor diagnosed his illness.

Using the resultative '出' with '诊断'.

这种病症的早期表现是发烧。

The early manifestation of this illness is fever.

Detailed description of symptoms.

我们需要针对不同病症进行治疗。

We need to provide treatment for different illnesses.

Preposition '针对' (targeting/for).

心理病症也需要引起重视。

Psychological conditions also need to be taken seriously.

Abstract usage of '病症'.

这种药物可以有效缓解病症。

This medicine can effectively alleviate the symptoms.

Adverb '有效' (effectively) + '缓解' (alleviate).

病症的起因还在调查中。

The cause of the illness is still under investigation.

Noun phrase '病症的起因'.

他因为这种病症休学了一年。

He took a year off school because of this illness.

Preposition '因为' (because of).

这些病症在老年人中很常见。

These conditions are very common among the elderly.

Prepositional phrase '在...中'.

我们要分析这种社会病症的根源。

We must analyze the roots of this social ill.

Metaphorical usage for societal problems.

患者的病症随着时间推移而恶化。

The patient's condition worsened as time went on.

Using '随着...而...' structure.

这种罕见病症的治疗费用非常高。

The treatment cost for this rare disease is very high.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

医生详细记录了每一种病症的变化。

The doctor recorded the changes in every symptom/illness in detail.

Adverbial '详细' (in detail).

预防胜于治疗，尤其对于复杂的病症。

Prevention is better than cure, especially for complex illnesses.

Using an idiom-like structure.

这种病症的表现形式多种多样。

The manifestations of this illness take many forms.

Idiom '多种多样' (diverse).

政府正在努力应对这种传染性病症。

The government is working hard to deal with this infectious disease.

Verb '应对' (to cope with/respond to).

他通过锻炼成功克服了长期病症。

He successfully overcame a long-term illness through exercise.

Verb '克服' (overcome).

文学作品常将病症作为一种隐喻。

Literary works often use illness as a metaphor.

Academic discussion of literature.

该病症的临床特征与流感极为相似。

The clinical features of this condition are extremely similar to the flu.

Formal medical terminology '临床特征'.

我们要警惕这些潜伏在身体里的病症。

We must be wary of these illnesses lurking in the body.

Verb '警惕' (be vigilant) and '潜伏' (lurk).

这种精神病症的研究尚处于初级阶段。

Research into this psychiatric condition is still in its early stages.

Formal structure '处于...阶段'.

医生必须准确辨别各种复杂的病症。

Doctors must accurately distinguish between various complex illnesses.

Verb '辨别' (distinguish).

这种病症的蔓延引起了国际社会的担忧。

The spread of this illness has caused concern in the international community.

Noun '蔓延' (spread/sprawl).

他试图通过写作来剖析时代的病症。

He tried to analyze the ills of the era through writing.

Verb '剖析' (analyze deeply/dissect).

这种病症往往伴随着严重的并发症。

This condition is often accompanied by serious complications.

Formal term '并发症' (complications).

鲁迅笔下的病症往往具有深刻的象征意义。

The illnesses in Lu Xun's writings often have deep symbolic meaning.

High-level literary criticism.

这种罕见病症的发病机理至今仍是一个谜。

The pathogenesis of this rare disease remains a mystery to this day.

Scientific term '发病机理'.

该报告详细阐述了贫困这一社会病症。

The report elaborated in detail on the social ill of poverty.

Formal verb '阐述' (elaborate).

这种病症的顽固性超出了所有人的预料。

The stubborn nature of this illness exceeded everyone's expectations.

Noun '顽固性' (stubbornness).

我们要从根源上铲除这种腐败的病症。

We must eradicate this illness of corruption from the root.

Strong metaphorical verb '铲除' (eradicate).

此种病症的治愈率在近年来大幅提升。

The cure rate for this condition has increased significantly in recent years.

Formal structure '大幅提升'.

由于病症的特殊性，治疗方案需量身定制。

Due to the specificity of the condition, the treatment plan needs to be customized.

Formal term '量身定制'.

这些病症的交织使得诊断过程异常艰难。

The intertwining of these conditions made the diagnostic process exceptionally difficult.

Literary verb '交织' (intertwine).

Common Collocations

诊断病症

治疗病症

缓解病症

发现病症

心理病症

慢性病症

罕见病症

社会病症

消除病症

复杂的病症

Common Phrases

对症下药

— To prescribe the right medicine for an illness; to use the right approach to solve a problem.

我们要对症下药才能解决问题。

不治之症

— Incurable disease; a problem that cannot be solved.

在过去，这被认为是不治之症。

疑难病症

— Difficult and complicated cases/illnesses.

这家医院专门治疗疑难病症。

并发病症

— Complications (medical conditions arising during another disease).

手术后要注意防止并发病症。

急性病症

— Acute medical condition.

这种急性病症需要立即手术。

隐性病症

— Latent or hidden illness.

隐性病症往往容易被忽略。

类似病症

— Similar conditions or symptoms.

许多患者表现出类似的病症。

严重病症

— Serious illness.

他患上了某种严重病症。

顽固病症

— Stubborn or persistent illness.

这种顽固病症折磨了他多年。

职业病症

— Occupational disease or condition.

腰疼是很多上班族的职业病症。

Often Confused With

病症 vs 症状

Symptoms (specific signs) vs. Illness/Condition (the whole entity).

病症 vs 疾病

Broad scientific category vs. Specific clinical manifestation.

病症 vs 病情

The state or progress of the illness vs. The illness itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"对症下药"

— Prescribe medicine according to the symptoms. Metaphorically, take effective measures for a problem.

针对公司的亏损，我们要对症下药。

Common

"病入膏肓"

— The disease has reached the vitals. Metaphorically, a situation is beyond hope.

这段关系已经病入膏肓，无法挽救。

Literary

"同病相怜"

— Fellow sufferers sympathize with each other.

他们都在失业中，真是同病相怜。

Common

"无病呻吟"

— Moaning without being ill. Making a fuss about nothing.

他的诗总是无病呻吟，没有真情实感。

Literary

"药到病除"

— The minute the medicine is taken, the disease is cured. Highly effective.

这位医生的技术真是药到病除。

Common

"手到病除"

— Cure the disease as soon as the hand touches it. Skilled medical treatment.

老中医手到病除，令人惊叹。

Common

"防病治病"

— Prevent and treat diseases.

我们要积极开展防病治病工作。

Formal

"多病多灾"

— Full of illnesses and disasters.

他这一生真是多病多灾。

Common

"生老病死"

— Birth, old age, sickness, and death; the cycle of life.

生老病死是自然的规律。

Common

"丧心病狂"

— To be frantic; to lose one's mind (often due to malice).

那个罪犯的行为简直是丧心病狂。

Strong/Informal

Easily Confused

病症 vs 症状

Both contain '症' and relate to being sick.

症状 is 'symptom' (subjective feeling), 病症 is 'illness' (clinical state).

咳嗽是感冒的症状，而感冒是一种病症。

病症 vs 证件

Sounds like 'zhèng', but different character and meaning.

证件 means ID/certificate, totally unrelated to health.

请出示您的证件。

病症 vs 辩证

Used in TCM and philosophy.

辩证 refers to dialectics or diagnosis in TCM, not the illness itself.

中医讲究辨证施治。

病症 vs 炎症

A specific type of medical condition.

炎症 is specifically 'inflammation', whereas 病症 is any illness.

他的伤口发生了炎症。

病症 vs 后遗症

Related to medical outcomes.

后遗症 refers to 'after-effects' or 'sequelae', not the initial illness.

这起事故留下了很多后遗症。

Sentence Patterns

这种病症的表现是...

这种病症的表现是头疼和发烧。

他患有某种...病症。

他患有某种罕见的心理病症。

针对...病症，医生建议...

针对这种病症，医生建议多休息。

...是该病症的主要起因。

压力是该病症的主要起因。

该病症在临床上被定义为...

该病症在临床上被定义为一种神经系统失调。

随着...，病症得到了有效控制。

随着医疗技术的进步，病症得到了有效控制。

剖析...这一社会病症的根源。

我们要深入剖析贫富差距这一社会病症的根源。

病症的交织使得治疗方案极其复杂。

多种病症的交织使得治疗方案极其复杂。

Word Family

Nouns

病人 (patient)

病毒 (virus)

病院 (hospital/asylum)

病历 (medical record)

Verbs

生病 (to get sick)

患病 (to suffer from an illness)

看病 (to see a doctor)

治病 (to treat an illness)

Adjectives

病态 (morbid)

病弱 (sickly and weak)

医疗 (medical treatment)

健康 (health)

诊断 (diagnosis)

康复 (recovery)

药方 (prescription)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written media and medical contexts; moderate in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

我的病症是感冒。 → 我得了感冒。
You don't usually say 'my illness is...'; you say 'I caught...'. Use 病症 to describe the nature of the cold.
他有很多病证。 → 他有很多病症。
Confusing '证' (proof) with '症' (symptom).
这个病症很疼。 → 这个病症导致身体很疼。
The illness itself isn't 'painful'; it 'causes' pain or has painful 'symptoms'.
医生在治那个症状。 → 医生在治那个病症。
Doctors treat the 'illness' (病症), while medicine might alleviate the 'symptom' (症状).
我有一个病症。 → 我生病了。
Too formal for casual conversation.

Tips

Context is King

Only use '病症' in formal or medical contexts. In a restaurant or with friends, it sounds too stiff.

Stroke Order

Make sure you write the 'sickness' radical 疒 correctly with the dots on the left.

Adjective Use

Pair '病症' with descriptive adjectives like '罕见' (rare), '严重' (serious), or '慢性' (chronic).

News Keywords

When you hear '病症' on the news, get ready to hear about health statistics or new diseases.

Professionalism

Using '病症' instead of '病' makes you sound like an educated speaker of Chinese.

Metaphorical Strength

Don't be afraid to use '病症' to describe a 'sick' system or a 'broken' social trend.

Bed Radical

Associate 疒 with a bed and anything inside it as the reason someone is stuck in bed.

vs 症状

Remember: Symptoms are what you feel; the 病症 is what the doctor names.

TCM Nuance

If studying TCM, pay attention to how '病症' relates to '辨证' (diagnosis).

Daily Practice

Try to spot this word in a Chinese newspaper or health app once a day.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

The top part 疒 looks like a hospital bed. Inside '病' is '丙' (fire/heat), and inside '症' is '正' (correct/straight). Think: To 'correct' (正) the 'heat' (丙) in the 'bed' (疒), you must identify the '病症'.

Visual Association

Imagine a patient lying in a bed (疒) with a thermometer (representing the signs of the 病症).

Word Web

医院医生吃药打针检查严重康复身体

Challenge

Try to describe three different '病症' (e.g., cold, flu, headache) using this word in a sentence for each.

Word Origin

The character '病' (bìng) consists of the 'sickness' radical 疒 and the phonetic part 丙. '症' (zhèng) also uses the 疒 radical with 正 as the phonetic. Historically, '症' was often written as '證' in medical contexts to mean 'evidence' of a disease.

Original meaning: The original meaning refers to physical illness and the outward signs or evidence that a person is unwell.

Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic.

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing mental health '病症'; while the term is correct, some people prefer more sensitive phrasing like '心理健康挑战' (mental health challenges).

In English, we often say 'symptoms' or 'illness'. '病症' is slightly more formal, similar to saying 'medical condition'.

Lu Xun's 'A Madman's Diary' (metaphorical illness) Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnostic theory Modern medical reports in People's Daily

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

描述病症
诊断病症
病症严重吗？
检查病症

Reading the News

发现新病症
病症的蔓延
应对病症
有关病症的报道

Buying Medicine

针对这种病症
缓解病症的药
治疗多种病症
病症说明

Academic Study

分析病症
病症的特征
研究病症
心理病症

Social Commentary

社会的病症
时代的病症
剖析病症
根治病症

Conversation Starters

"医生，你能帮我分析一下这些病症吗？"

"你听说过这种罕见的病症吗？"

"这种药物对缓解病症真的有效吗？"

"你觉得现在的社会有哪些明显的病症？"

"我们该如何预防这种季节性的病症？"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你生病的经历，并尝试使用‘病症’这个词来详细说明你的情况。

你认为现代社会最大的‘社会病症’是什么？我们应该如何‘对症下药’？

如果一个医生无法诊断出某种病症，你觉得病人应该怎么办？

写一段关于未来医学如何彻底消除所有严重病症的科幻故事。

讨论心理健康的重要性，以及为什么我们不应该忽视心理病症。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can, but it sounds very formal. Usually, people just say '感冒'. You would use '病症' if you were writing a report about the cold's symptoms.

病 is the general word for 'illness'. 病症 is more specific to the 'symptoms' or 'clinical state' of that illness. It's like the difference between 'sick' and 'medical condition'.

Yes, but they often use '证' or '症候' to refer to patterns of disharmony. However, '病症' is still widely understood.

Yes, '心理病症' (psychological condition) or '精神病症' (psychiatric condition) are common and correct terms.

You can use the measure word '种' (zhǒng) to mean 'a type of illness'. For example: '两种病症'.

It's grammatically correct but socially awkward. It sounds like you're a robot. Say '我病了' or '我有点不舒服' instead.

It's a metaphor for problems in society, like corruption, laziness, or greed, comparing them to a disease that needs curing.

Yes, veterinarians use it to describe the conditions of animals they treat.

In modern Chinese, '症' is for medical symptoms. '证' is for proof or evidence. In TCM, they sometimes overlap, but stick to '症' for health.

Yes, it typically appears around the HSK 4 or 5 levels (B1/B2 CEFR), as it is essential for formal communication.