弊病 (bì bìng) literally combines 弊 (bì), meaning 'abuse', 'malpractice', or 'flaw', and 病 (bìng), meaning 'illness' or 'disease'. Together, they form a compound noun that refers to a chronic, systemic problem — not a temporary inconvenience, but a deep-rooted, often structural ill that persists due to underlying causes. It carries a formal, slightly critical tone and is commonly used in discussions about social issues, institutional weaknesses, organizational inefficiencies, or long-standing health conditions.

This word emphasizes both the harmful nature and the entrenched quality of the problem — like a disease that has taken hold over time. It appears frequently in academic writing, news analysis, policy reports, and serious commentary. Unlike general terms like 问题 (wèntí, 'problem'), 弊病 implies something pathological, resistant to quick fixes, and often requiring systemic reform or deep intervention to resolve.