shēngbìng: 生病 - To be sick, To fall ill

Keywords: sheng bing Chinese, how to say sick in Chinese, 生病 meaning, 生病 pinyin, I am sick in Chinese, shēngbìng translate, Chinese word for ill, to get sick in Mandarin, HSK 1 vocabulary.

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term for “to be sick,” 生病 (shēngbìng). This guide provides a complete breakdown of its meaning, cultural context, and practical usage for beginner learners (HSK 1). Discover how to say “I am sick” in Chinese correctly, understand why you should “drink more hot water,” and avoid common but serious mistakes. With clear examples and related terms, you'll be able to talk about health in Mandarin with confidence.

Pinyin (with tone marks): shēngbìng

Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase

HSK Level: 1

Concise Definition: To get sick or to be in a state of illness.

In a Nutshell: 生病 (shēngbìng) is the most common and direct way to say that you are sick in Mandarin Chinese. It's a verb-object phrase that literally translates to “give birth to an illness,” a vivid image of sickness starting and developing in the body. It covers a wide range of ailments, from a common cold to more serious conditions, and is the foundational term you need to discuss your health.

生 (shēng): This character's core meaning is “to be born,” “to grow,” or “life.” Think of a small plant sprouting from the ground. It signifies the start or creation of something.

病 (bìng): This character means “illness,” “sickness,” or “disease.” The radical on the left, 疒, is known as the “sickness radical.” You will see it in many characters related to health problems, like 疼 (téng - pain) and 痛 (tòng - ache).

Together, 生病 (shēngbìng) creates the meaning “to grow an illness” or “to give life to a sickness,” which perfectly captures the concept of falling ill.

In Chinese culture, health is often viewed through the lens of balance and harmony, concepts rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Falling sick, or 生病, is seen as a disruption of this balance—an imbalance of yīn (阴) and yáng (阳) or a blockage of qì (气), the body's vital life energy.

Comparison to Western Culture: While a Westerner might say, “I caught a bug,” implying an external attack, the structure of 生病 (“to grow an illness”) feels more internal, as if the illness is generated from within due to an imbalance. This subtle difference reflects a more holistic view of health.

“Drink More Hot Water” (多喝热水 - duō hē rè shuǐ): When you tell someone in China you are sick (我生病了), a very common and caring response is 多喝热水. While it can seem like a cliché, it's rooted in the TCM belief that hot water helps restore balance, improve circulation, and expel coldness or dampness from the body. It's the go-to, all-purpose piece of advice for minor ailments and a way of showing general concern.

General Conversation: 生病 is a neutral, everyday term. You can use it with friends, family, teachers, doctors, or your boss. It's the standard way to state that you are not feeling well.

Taking Sick Leave: The term is used officially for taking time off work or school. You would say 我要请病假 (Wǒ yào qǐng bìngjià), “I need to request sick leave,” because you 生病了.

`不舒服 (bù shūfu)` - Uncomfortable; not feeling well. A milder, less specific alternative to 生病.

`感冒 (gǎnmào)` - To have a common cold. This is a specific type of 生病.

`发烧 (fāshāo)` - To have a fever. A common symptom when you 生病.

`看病 (kànbìng)` - To see a doctor (literally “to see the illness”). This is what you do when you 生病.

`吃药 (chīyào)` - To take medicine (literally “to eat medicine”). A common treatment for being 生病.

`请病假 (qǐng bìngjià)` - To request sick leave. The professional action you take when you are too 生病 to work.

`健康 (jiànkāng)` - Health; healthy. The state you want to be in; the opposite of being 生病.

`多喝热水 (duō hē rè shuǐ)` - “Drink more hot water.” The classic, culturally significant advice given to someone who is 生病.

`有病 (yǒu bìng)` - (Insult) Crazy; nuts. A “false friend” and critical mistake to avoid. Refer to the Nuances section.