1.
illness; disease
A physical or mental illness. More literary and formal than 病気, often used in set expressions and proverbs.
病に倒れた。
He fell ill.
病は気からという言葉がある。
There is a saying that illness comes from the mind.
長い病と闘いながら、彼女は最後まで前向きだった。
While battling a long illness, she remained positive until the end.
2.
bad habit; weakness; obsession
A figurative usage referring to a persistent bad habit, character flaw, or unhealthy obsession that one cannot easily overcome.
浪費は彼の病だ。
Spending money wastefully is his bad habit.
完璧を求めるのは彼女の病だ。
Seeking perfection is her weakness.
収集の病が始まると、家中が物であふれてしまう。
Once the collecting bug takes hold, the whole house overflows with things.
USAGE:
More literary and formal than 病気. Often found in proverbs, set phrases, and written language. In everyday conversation, 病気 is the standard choice.
KEY PROVERBS:
- 病は気から: illness comes from the mind (attitude affects health)
- 病膏肓に入る: the illness has entered a critical stage; to be beyond help (often used figuratively for obsessions)
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 病に伏す: to be bedridden with illness
- 病に倒れる: to fall ill
- 病と闘う: to fight an illness
- 不治の病: incurable illness