Definition
病夫 literally means 'sick man' but carries strong historical and cultural weight, especially from the phrase 东亚病夫 (Sick Man of East Asia) — a derogatory label used against China in the late 19th/early 20th century. In modern use it's an insult for someone weak or unhealthy, never a neutral term for a sick person. Avoid using this as a synonym for 病人 (patient); it's always pejorative.
n.
(derogatory) weaklinginvalid (historical slur with strong negative connotation)
Examples
- ，病夫。Tā zhěngtiān bù yùndòng, kuài biàn chéng bìng fū le.He never exercises — he's becoming a weakling.
- “病夫”。Lìshǐ shàng “Dōngyà bìng fū” zhège cí shì jí dà de wǔrǔ.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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