不養生(ふようじょう)

ふようじょう
noun
neglect of one's health; unhealthy living
healthdaily-life
1. neglect of one's health; failure to take care of oneself
Living in a way that damages your own health — irregular hours, overwork, drinking too much, ignoring a doctor's advice. It is a mild, slightly old-fashioned reproach, often aimed at oneself.
不養生(ふようじょう)がたたった。
My neglect of my health caught up with me.
若(わか)いころの不養生(ふようじょう)を後悔(こうかい)している。
I regret how badly I looked after myself when I was young.
If you stay up late every night and skip breakfast too, you can hardly complain about being told you neglect your health.

Formed from 不(ふ) (not) plus 養生(ようじょう) (taking care of one's health, convalescing). It names the behavior, not the illness that results.

Common expressions

  • 医者(いしゃ)の不養生(ふようじょう): "the doctor's own bad habits" — a set proverb for someone who preaches what they fail to practice
  • 不養生(ふようじょう)がたたる: for neglect of one's health to catch up with one
  • 日頃(ひごろ)の不養生(ふようじょう): one's habitual poor self-care

Similar words