beng6 mo1 cin4 san1病魔纏身病魔缠身
Jyutpingbeng6 mo1 cin4 san1
Yalebehng mō chìhn sān
Definition
Plagued by illness; tormented by a serious disease.
colloquialhealth
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, dramatic tone, often used to describe someone suffering from a chronic or life-threatening condition. It personifies illness as a demon or evil spirit that refuses to let the person go. Because of its intensity, it is rarely used for minor ailments like a common cold or flu.
Examples
He has been plagued by serious illness for years, it is so miserable.
Why is he plagued by serious illness at such a young age?
Related words
Common phrases
plagued by long-term serious illness
Common mistake
Avoid using this for temporary or mild sickness, as it sounds overly theatrical and inappropriate for everyday health issues. It is strictly reserved for severe, long-term, or debilitating medical conditions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.



