弊病 (bì bìng) — drawback, disadvantage (of a system or plan); m… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

弊病 refers to deep, systemic drawbacks or corrupt practices in an institution, system, or policy — more serious and structural than 缺点 or 坏处 (everyday flaws), and broader than 弊端, which leans toward specific abuses or policy flaws.

noun

drawbackdisadvantage (of a system or plan)malpracticeevil (a harmful or corrupt practice)

Examples

弊病。
Zhè ge zhì dù de bì bìng zài yú quē fá jiān dū.
The drawback of this system lies in the lack of supervision.
弊病。
Gōng sī nèi bù de bì bìng bì xū chè dǐ qīng chú.
The malpractices inside the company must be completely eliminated.
弊病。
Cháng qī cún zài de bì bìng jiù xiàng dú liú yí yàng.
Long-standing ills are like malignant tumors.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

弊 (harm) and 病 (flaw) are synonyms, together meaning a harmful flaw.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

敝廾弊

Meaning part形符xíngfú

廾廾gǒngboth hands

Sound part声符shēngfú

敝

敝bì弊bì

Same sound today

弊 adds 廾, both hands, to 敝, which gives the sound and means destroy or tatters, making the idea of destroying something with both hands.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

疒丙病

Meaning part形符xíngfú

疒疒nèsickness

Sound part声符shēngfú

丙

丙bǐng病bìng

Same sound today

病 pairs 疒, a sickness mark, with 丙, which gives the sound; 丙 also means fire, giving a picture of lying feverishly in bed.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6

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