Chinese word

弊病

Pronunciation

Pinyinbì bìng

Meaning

  • noundrawback

Example

这个制度有很多弊病。zhè ge zhì dù yǒu hěn duō bì bìng

This system has many drawbacks.

Illustration for 弊病 (drawback)

More examples

改革旨在根除弊病。gǎi gé zhǐ zài gēn chú bì bìng

The reform aims to root out these drawbacks.

Core concept

A chronic ailment inside a system that makes its work less effective or fair.

Common phrases

  • 存在弊病cún zài bì bìng

    have drawbacks

  • 根除弊病gēn chú bì bìng

    root out drawbacks

  • 弊病丛生bì bìng cóng shēng

    drawbacks abound

Similar words

问题wèn tí: A troublesome matter that requires action, handling, or resolution.
缺点quē diǎn: A shortcoming in a person or thing whose quality or ability is below the expected level.
毛病máo bìng: An abnormal condition or breakdown in a machine, body, or system.
缺陷quē xiàn: A defect caused by the absence of a function or level of performance that should be present.

Definition in Chinese

长期存在于制度、组织或做法中的缺点或不良倾向，常导致效率低下或不公正。cháng qī cún zài yú zhì dù zǔ zhī huò zuò fǎ zhōng de quē diǎn huò bù liáng qīng xiàng cháng dǎo zhì xiào lǜ dī xià huò bù gōng zhèng

Word origin

弊 (bì, "harm or defect") + 病 (bìng, "illness") presents a system's persistent defect as a kind of illness.

Usage tips

  • This noun is especially common in formal discussion of institutions and policies, so it fits reports and public criticism better than casual talk about a small personal annoyance.

Other meanings

  • defectnoun
  • bad habitnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word