Understanding "出毛病" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 出毛病
• Pinyin: chū máo bìng
• Literal Meaning: “to produce/come out with a small defect or illness”
• Primary Meaning: to have a problem; to go wrong; to malfunction; for something to be wrong with someone or something

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 出毛病 is a common spoken expression used when something develops a problem, stops working properly, or behaves abnormally. It can describe machines, electronics, systems, plans, health, or even a person’s mental or emotional state in casual speech.

In English, it often translates as “something is wrong,” “there is a problem,” “to break down,” or “to malfunction,” depending on the context.

For example, if a computer suddenly stops working, you can say 电脑出毛病了. If someone’s stomach feels uncomfortable, you might say 胃出毛病了. The phrase often implies that the problem has appeared or developed, rather than simply existing from the beginning.

出毛病 is informal to neutral and very natural in everyday conversation. For more formal situations, words like 出故障, meaning “to malfunction,” or 出问题, meaning “to have a problem,” may be used.

• Character Breakdown:
• 出 means “to come out,” “to appear,” or “to happen.” In this phrase, it suggests that a problem has appeared.
• 毛 originally means “hair,” but in 毛病 it helps form a word meaning “defect,” “fault,” “bad habit,” or “illness/problem.”
• 病 means “illness” or “disease.” It can also refer more generally to a problem or defect.

Together, 毛病 means “fault,” “defect,” “problem,” or sometimes “bad habit.” So 出毛病 literally suggests that a fault or problem has appeared.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 我的手机好像出毛病了。
• Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī hǎoxiàng chū máo bìng le.

• English: My phone seems to have a problem.

• Chinese: 这台机器经常出毛病。

• Pinyin: Zhè tái jīqì jīngcháng chū máo bìng.

• English: This machine often breaks down.

• Chinese: 他最近身体出毛病了，所以不能来上班。

• Pinyin: Tā zuìjìn shēntǐ chū máo bìng le, suǒyǐ bù néng lái shàngbān.
• English: He has had some health problems recently, so he cannot come to work.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

出毛病 is very common in daily Chinese and is often used in a practical, conversational way. Chinese speakers may use it broadly, not only for machines but also for the body, plans, relationships, or situations. For example, a plan can 出毛病 if something goes wrong during execution.

One useful nuance is that 毛病 can also mean a “bad habit” or “personal flaw.” For example, 老毛病 can mean an “old problem,” “chronic issue,” or “old bad habit.” However, 出毛病 usually focuses on a problem appearing or something no longer working normally.

Conclusion

出毛病 means that something has gone wrong, developed a problem, or stopped working properly. Remember that 出 suggests the problem “appears,” while 毛病 means a fault, defect, or problem. It is a natural everyday phrase for talking about broken devices, health issues, and situations that do not go as expected.