精神病

• Pinyin: jīng shén bìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 精 = refined/essence; 神 = 礻(spirit) + 申 (extend), spirit; 病 = 疒 (illness) + 丙, illness

Meaning

Mental illness; psychiatric disorder; psychosis.

The clinical term for mental illness or psychiatric conditions. In casual speech, sometimes used pejoratively to call someone 'crazy' — this usage is offensive and stigmatizing. In proper contexts, it's a neutral medical term. Related term 神经病 is more colloquially used as an insult.

Examples

1. 精神病患者需要社会的理解和关爱，而不是歧视。 People with mental illness need society's understanding and care, not discrimination.
2. 他被诊断出患有精神病，正在接受治疗。 He was diagnosed with a mental illness and is receiving treatment.
3. 对精神病的偏见导致很多患者不敢寻求帮助。 Prejudice against mental illness causes many patients to not dare seek help.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, social issues

Tone: clinical

Do Say

• 精神病是可以治疗的，不要讳疾忌医。(Mental illness can be treated — don't avoid seeking help.)
• 我们应该消除对精神病的污名化。(We should eliminate the stigma around mental illness.)

Don't Say

• 你是不是精神病啊？(Very offensive when used as an insult — equivalent to 'are you crazy?' in the worst way)

Origin & History

Compound of 精神 (spirit, mind, mental) + 病 (illness). A modern medical term coined during the introduction of Western psychiatry to China.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal