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痼疾 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
痼疾gùjí痼疾 (gùjí) refers to a chronic ailment or stubborn illness that is difficult to cure. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a persistent problem or entrenched habit, often implying a sense of frustration or helplessness in addressing the issue.HSK 6, 16 strokes, Hard
gùjí(gu4ji2) T4
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May 27, 2026

痼疾gùjí(gu4ji2)

痼疾 (gùjí) refers to a chronic ailment or stubborn illness that is difficult to cure. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a persistent problem or entrenched habit, often implying a sense of frustration or helplessness in addressing the issue.

Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, chronic illnesses are often seen as a result of long-term imbalances in the body, reflecting the cultural belief in holistic health and prevention.

Memory Tip

Imagine a stubborn goat (sounds like 'gù') that refuses to leave a muddy pit (疾, 'jí' sounds like 'jeep', which gets stuck). This goat represents a chronic illness that just won't budge, reminding you that some ailments are hard to shake off.

About 痼疾

痼疾Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 痼疾

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AI Study Notes for 痼疾

Quick Contrast

慢性病 (mànxìngbìng) vs 痼疾 (gùjí): Use 痼疾 when emphasizing the stubbornness or entrenched nature of the ailment, while 慢性病 refers more generally to any chronic illness.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a stubborn goat (sounds like 'gù') that refuses to leave a muddy pit (疾, 'jí' sounds like 'jeep', which gets stuck). This goat represents a chronic illness that just won't budge, reminding you that some ailments are hard to shake off.

Usage Notes

痼疾 is often used in formal contexts, especially in medical discussions or metaphorical expressions. Be careful not to confuse it with other words for illness like 疾病 (jíbìng), which is more general. It's commonly used with adjectives like '严重' (serious) or '顽固' (stubborn).

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 6, focus on recognizing the nuances of 痼疾 in both medical and metaphorical contexts. Connect it with other advanced vocabulary related to health and problems, such as 疾病 (disease) and 问题 (problem), to enhance your understanding.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, chronic illnesses are often seen as a result of long-term imbalances in the body, reflecting the cultural belief in holistic health and prevention.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 痼疾 with 轻病 (qīngbìng, mild illness), which refers to less serious conditions. Ensure you understand that 痼疾 indicates something much more serious and persistent.

AI-enhanced 2026-05-27

Pronunciation of 痼疾

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Cultural Notes for 痼疾

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese medicine, chronic illnesses are often seen as a result of long-term imbalances in the body, reflecting the cultural belief in holistic health and prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions about 痼疾

No, while it can refer to chronic illnesses, it is also used metaphorically for persistent problems in various areas of life.