弊病

• Pinyin: bì bìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 弊 = 敝 (worn out) + 廾 (hands); 病 = 疒 (sickness) + 丙 (phonetic)

Meaning

Drawback; fault; malady; systemic problem.

Refers to inherent defects or chronic problems in a system, organization, or practice. Often used when critiquing institutional issues, social phenomena, or methods. More formal than 毛病, implies deeper structural issues.

Examples

1. 这种管理模式的弊病是效率太低，决策太慢。 The drawback of this management style is that efficiency is too low and decisions are too slow.
2. 应试教育的弊病已经被讨论了很多年了。 The problems with exam-oriented education have been discussed for many years.
3. 这套制度存在不少弊病，急需改革。 This system has quite a few flaws and urgently needs reform.

Usage Guide

Context: critique, analysis, reform discussions

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 这套方案有明显的弊病。(This plan has obvious flaws.)
• 我们要正视制度的弊病。(We need to face the system's defects head-on.)

Don't Say

• 用'弊病'形容个人小毛病 (Don't use 弊病 for personal quirks — use 毛病; 弊病 is for systemic issues)

Origin & History

弊 (malpractice/fault) + 病 (illness). The illness or fault of a system.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal