REAL INTERNET CHINESE
nerve sickness, the old everyday term for mental illness
you are insane, a mild to moderate insult for crazy behavior
- Who can you say it to?
- Close friends only Carries a swear or an insult. Only with people who would swear back.
- Out loud, or only typed?
- Say it or type it Works out loud and in chat.
- Is it still used?
- Settled in Past the fad stage, part of everyday speech.
When to say it
Say it laughing when a friend suggests a 4am hike in the rain, or snap it at someone being genuinely unreasonable. Fond to hostile depending on tone. Far older than the internet.
Hear it in the wild
Shénjīngbìng a, dà dōngtiān chī bīnggùn!
Are you crazy, eating popsicles in winter!
Nǐ zhème kāichē, shénjīngbìng ba!
Driving like that, are you insane!
Quick answers
What does 神经病 mean?
you are insane, a mild to moderate insult for crazy behavior
When do people say 神经病?
Say it laughing when a friend suggests a 4am hike in the rain, or snap it at someone being genuinely unreasonable. Fond to hostile depending on tone. Far older than the internet.
When should you not say 神经病?
Tone is everything. Laughing among friends it is teasing; aimed angrily it insults, and since it names a real illness it can land hard near anyone with mental health struggles.
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