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毛病 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
毛病máobìngfaultHSK 5, n, rank #2454, Medium
毛病máobìngdefectHSK 5, n, rank #2454, Medium
毛病máobìngshortcomingsHSK 5, n, rank #2454, Medium
毛病máobìngailmentHSK 5, n, rank #2454, Medium
毛病máobìng>个[gè]HSK 5, n, rank #2454, Medium
máobìng(mao2bing4) T2
  1. 1fault
  2. 2defect
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
毛病máobìng(mao2bing4)

The term '毛病' (máobìng) refers to a fault, defect, or shortcoming in something or someone. It can also describe an ailment or health issue. This word is commonly used in both everyday conversation and more formal contexts to highlight negative aspects or problems.

Frequency#2454DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing someone's '毛病' can be sensitive as it touches on personal shortcomings. It’s often used in family discussions to address issues in a caring but direct manner, which reflects the value placed on harmony and improvement.

Memory Tip

Think of '毛' (máo) as 'fur' or 'hair,' which can easily show flaws, while '病' (bìng) means 'sickness.' Imagine a furry pet with a health issue, and you can remember that '毛病' represents faults or problems.

Meanings of 毛病

máobìng(mao2bing4)
1fault
2defect
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 毛病

毛病Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2454Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 毛病

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Podcast: 毛病

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AI Study Notes for 毛病

Quick Contrast

缺点 (quēdiǎn) — use '毛病' for faults related to behavior or health, while '缺点' specifically refers to shortcomings or disadvantages in character or attributes.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of '毛' (máo) as 'fur' or 'hair,' which can easily show flaws, while '病' (bìng) means 'sickness.' Imagine a furry pet with a health issue, and you can remember that '毛病' represents faults or problems.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '毛病' with '问题' (wèntí), which means 'problem' in a broader sense. '毛病' carries a more negative connotation, often implying a defect rather than just an issue. In informal contexts, it can also refer to personal flaws.

HSK Study Tips

'毛病' is an HSK Level 5 word, connecting well with other vocabulary about health and personal attributes. Focus on using it in sentences that describe both objects and people to enhance your understanding of its nuances.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussing someone's '毛病' can be sensitive as it touches on personal shortcomings. It’s often used in family discussions to address issues in a caring but direct manner, which reflects the value placed on harmony and improvement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use '毛病' when they mean '问题' (wèntí) or 'issue'. For example, saying '这个是我的毛病' (zhège shì wǒ de máobìng) when referring to a general problem should be corrected to '这个是我的问题' (zhège shì wǒ de wèntí).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 毛病

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Component Characters

毛máohair
HSK 34 strokes毛
View full entry
病bìngillness
HSK 110 strokes疒
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Write 毛病

毛
病

Practice writing 毛病 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 毛病

毛病 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

你这大吃大喝的____对身体不好，一定要改改。

Your habit of eating and drinking extravagantly is bad for your health — you really must change it.

Example Sentences for 毛病 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
一旦你改掉神经脆弱的毛病，便可一往无前。

yī dàn nǐ gǎi diào shén jīng cuì ruò de máo bìng， ， biàn kě yī wǎng wú。

When you've got over your squeamishness, there will be no stopping you.
2
阿拉斯泰尔背部有毛病，所以我们睡硬板床。

ā lā sī tài ěr bèi bù yǒu máo bìng， ， suǒ yǐ wǒ mén shuì yìng bǎn。

Alastair has a bad back so we have a hard bed.
3
卫星连接一定出了毛病。

wèi xīng lián jiē yī dìng chū le máo bìng。

Something must have gone wrong with the satellite link.
4
这就是老被其他教练挑毛病的那个人。

zhè jiù shì lǎo bèi qí tā jiào liàn tiāo máo bìng de nà gè rén。

This was the man whom other trainers love to carp about.
5
我刚开始驾驶游艇航行时，艇上的汽油发动机老出毛病。

wǒ gāng kāi shǐ jià shǐ yóu tǐng háng háng shí， ， tǐng shàng de qì yóu fā dòng jī lǎo chū máo。

I first started cruising in yachts with temperamental petrol engines.
6
这对老夫妻脑子有了毛病, 做起了怪事.

zhè duì lǎo fū qī nǎo zǐ yǒu le máo bìng, , zuò qǐ le guài.

The old couple were delirious, and were doing strange things.
7
本最大的毛病就是笨手笨脚。

běn zuì dà de máo bìng jiù shì bèn shǒu bèn jiǎo。

Ben's biggest problem is clumsiness.
8
要是机器出了毛病, 请告诉我.

yào shì jī qì chū le máo bìng, , qǐng gào sù.

If anything happens to the machine, please let me know.
9
辛普森不择手段的勃勃野心和自抬身价的毛病使他没能成为英国广播公司最受欢迎的记者。

xīn pǔ sēn bù zé shǒu duàn de bó bó yě xīn hé zì tái shēn jià de máo bìng shǐ tā méi néng chéng wéi yīng guó guǎng bō gōng sī zuì shòu huān yíng de jì zhě。

Simpson's ruthless ambition and weakness for self-promotion has not made him the most popular journalist in the BBC.
10
每间舱房总有些小毛病或机件失灵的事故上报.

měi jiān cāng fáng zǒng yǒu xiē xiǎo máo bìng huò jī jiàn shī líng de shì gù shàng bào.

Every compartment had some minor breakage or malfunction to report.

Cultural Notes for 毛病

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussing someone's '毛病' can be sensitive as it touches on personal shortcomings. It’s often used in family discussions to address issues in a caring but direct manner, which reflects the value placed on harmony and improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions about 毛病

'毛病' is typically negative, referring to faults or shortcomings, so it's not used positively.