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膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾
膏肓之疾

膏肓之疾 — “An incurable or terminal illness”

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)”.

Frequency

膏肓之疾 Pronunciation and Pinyin

膏肓之疾 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order
CharacterPinyinStrokesMeaning
膏
gāo14rich
肓
huāng7critical body region
之
zhī4possessive or connective particle
疾
jí10illness, fast, or hate

Example Sentence with 膏肓之疾

他多年来形成的拖延症,如今已成了膏肓之疾,严重影响了他的工作效率。
His procrastination, which has developed over many years, has now become an incurable malady, severely affecting his work efficiency.

Origin and Story of 膏肓之疾

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.

Idioms Related to 膏肓之疾

Synonyms of 膏肓之疾

  • bù不zhì治zhī之zhèng症an incurable illness or intractable problem
  • bìng病rù入gāo膏huāng肓beyond cure or remedy

More idioms starting with 膏

  • gào膏chún唇qí岐shé舌Speak glibly and deceptively
  • gāo膏chún唇shì拭shé舌speak with great eloquence and persuasion
  • gāo膏chún唇qí歧shé舌speak with a forked tongue
  • gāo膏chún唇shì试shé舌eager to speak one's mind
  • gào膏chún唇fàn贩shé舌speak glibly and persuasively
  • gāo膏cháng场xiù绣kuài浍fertile fields with beautiful irrigation
  • gāo膏liáng梁zǐ子dì弟pampered rich kids
  • gāo膏liáng梁wán纨kù袴pampered rich idlers
  • gāo膏liáng梁jǐn锦xiù绣luxurious living
  • gāo膏zé泽zhī脂xiāng香luxurious oily fragrant cosmetics
  • gāo膏huǒ火zhī之fèi费tuition and schooling expenses
  • gāo膏huǒ火zì自jiān煎Talent brings trouble upon oneself

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Questions about 膏肓之疾

What does 膏肓之疾 mean?

膏肓之疾 (gāo huāng zhī jí) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “an incurable or terminal illness”.

How do you pronounce 膏肓之疾?

膏肓之疾 is pronounced gāo huāng zhī jí in Mandarin Chinese.

What does 膏肓之疾 literally mean?

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”.

Where does 膏肓之疾 come from?

膏肓之疾 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.

What is the Chinese definition of 膏肓之疾?

指不可医治的绝症。

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