病夫 (bìng fū) — (derogatory) weakling, invalid (historical slur with strong negative connotation)

Definition

A derogatory, outdated slur meaning 'sick man / weakling,' historically used in the insulting phrase '东亚病夫' (Sick Man of East Asia). Strongly insulting today — never use it to describe a sick person; say 病人 instead.

noun
(derogatory) weaklinginvalid (historical slur with strong negative connotation)
Measure word ·

Examples

  • 病夫
    Tā zhěng tiān bú yùn dòng, kuài biàn chéng bìng fū le.
    He never exercises — he's becoming a weakling.
  • 病夫
    Lì shǐ shàng "dōng yà bìng fū" zhè ge cí shì jí dà de wǔ rǔ.
    Historically, the term 'Sick Man of East Asia' was a huge insult.
  • 病夫
    Bié jiào tā bìng fū, nà tài shāng rén le.
    Don't call him a weakling — that's too hurtful.

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