‘抱病’ is a literary, formal verb meaning 'to be ill' or 'to suffer from an illness.' Literally, 抱 (bào) means 'to hold' or 'to embrace,' and 病 (bìng) means 'illness' or 'disease.' Together, they evoke the image of someone 'holding onto' or 'bearing' their illness — suggesting endurance, resignation, or dignified suffering. Unlike everyday terms like 生病 (shēng bìng), 抱病 carries a tone of gravity, restraint, and often implies that the person is unwell but still attempting to fulfill responsibilities.

This expression is commonly found in formal writing, official notices, literary works, obituaries, or respectful announcements — for example, when explaining an absence due to serious illness or describing someone who attended an event despite poor health. It is rarely used in casual speech and almost never with progressive or continuous aspect markers like 正在 or 着. Its register is elevated, and it frequently appears in passive constructions or as a predicate adjective-like phrase modifying a noun (e.g., 抱病出席).