Sick man Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈsɪk/ /ˈmæn

SIK-MAN

UK

sˈɪk/ /mˈæn

SIK-MAN

Definition

This expression can mean a man who is ill, or it can be used metaphorically to describe a country or organization that is weak or struggling, especially in economics or politics.

Usage & Nuances

Used both literally and metaphorically. The famous phrase 'sick man of Europe' referred to a declining country. For a person, it's neutral and common in daily talk. When used about a nation, it's often in news, history, or policy discussions.

• Spanish: hombre enfermo - hombre débil (económicamente, políticamente)
• Portuguese (BR): homem doente - país fraco (economia, política)
• Portuguese (PT): homem doente - país fraco (economia, política)
• Chinese (Simplified): 病人 - 病夫（比喻国家衰弱）
• Chinese (Traditional): 病人 - 病夫（比喻國家衰弱）
• Hindi: बीमार आदमी - कमजोर देश (आर्थिक, राजनीतिक संदर्भ में)
• Arabic: رجل مريض - دولة ضعيفة (اقتصاديًا أو سياسيًا)
• Bengali: অসুস্থ মানুষ - দুর্বল রাষ্ট্র (অর্থনৈতিক, রাজনৈতিক)
• Russian: больной человек - слабое государство (экономически, политически)
• Japanese: 病人 - 病人（経済的・政治的に弱い国の比喩）
• Vietnamese: người đàn ông ốm - quốc gia suy yếu (kinh tế, chính trị)
• Korean: 아픈 남자 - 병든 국가(경제, 정치적 약자 비유)
• Turkish: hasta adam - zayıf ülke (ekonomik, siyasi anlamda)
• Urdu: بیمار آدمی - کمزور ملک (معاشی، سیاسی معنی میں)
• Indonesian: pria sakit - negara lemah (ekonomi, politik)

Example Sentences

The sick man stayed in bed all day.

basic

A doctor came to visit the sick man.

basic

Everyone tried to help the sick man.

basic

People used to call the Ottoman Empire the 'sick man of Europe.'

natural

After years of economic trouble, some now see the country as a 'sick man' in the region.

natural

That company was once the market leader, but it's now seen as a sick man in the industry.

natural