








膏肓之疾 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “an incurable or terminal illness”. A fatal disease; (figuratively) an intractable problem or incurable habit. Literally, “Illness in the gao-huang region (the vital region between the heart and diaphragm)”.
During the Spring and Autumn period, Duke Jing of Jin fell gravely ill. King Huan of Qin sent a famous physician, Huan, to treat him.
Upon arriving in Jin and examining Duke Jing, Physician Huan sighed and shook his head, saying, "Your Highness's illness has already reached the gao (above the diaphragm) and huang (below the heart) regions, where the power of medicine cannot reach."
As expected, Duke Jing died not long after.

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Open the tool →膏肓之疾 (gāo huāng zhī jí) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “an incurable or terminal illness”.
膏肓之疾 is pronounced gāo huāng zhī jí in Mandarin Chinese.
Literally, 膏肓之疾 means “Illness in the gao-huang region (the vital region between the heart and diaphragm)”. It is used to mean “an incurable or terminal illness”.
膏肓之疾 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
指不可医治的绝症。