Usage note
生病是指身体不舒服，需要休息或看医生。
shēngbìng shì zhǐ shēntǐ bù kěnɡ shū, xū yào xiūxī huò kàn yīshēnɡ。
生病 means feeling unwell and needing rest or seeing a doctor.
Context note
生病常出现在描述身体不适或请假时，比如：妈妈生病了，需要在家休息。
shēngbìng cháng chū xiàn miáo shù shēntǐ bù kěnɡ, huò zhě qílái: māma shēngbìng le, xū yào zài jiā xiūxī。
生病 often appears when describing feeling unwell or taking a sick leave, for example: Mom is sick and needs to rest at home.
5 examples
他生病了，不能去上学。
tā shēng bìng le， bù néng qù shàng xué。
He is sick and cannot go to school.
生病的人需要多喝水。
shēng bìng de rén xū yào duō hē shuǐ。
People who are sick need to drink more water.
医生说他生病了，要吃药。
yī shēng shuō tā shēng bìng le， yào chī yào。
The doctor said he is sick and needs to take medicine.
生病时应该多休息。
shēng bìng shí yīng gāi duō xiū xi。
When you are sick, you should rest more.
他感冒了，所以生病了。
tā gǎn mào le， suǒ yǐ shēng bìng le。
He caught a cold and therefore is sick.
5 mini stories
小明生病了，他妈妈带他去看医生。
xiǎo míng shēng bìng le， tā mā ma dài tā qù kàn yī shēng。
Xiaoming is sick, his mom takes him to see a doctor.
昨天小红生病了，所以今天不能上学。
zuó tiān xiǎo hóng shēng bìng le， suǒ yǐ jīn tiān bù néng shàng xué。
Yesterday Xiaohong was sick, so she cannot go to school today.
生病时要多喝水，不要吃油腻的食物。
shēng bìng shí yào duō hē shuǐ， bú yào chī yóu nì de shí wù。
When you are sick, drink more water and don't eat greasy food.
生病时不要去人多的地方，容易传染。
shēng bìng shí bú yào qù rén duō de dì fāng， róng yì zhuàn rǎn。
When you are sick, don't go to crowded places, as it is easy to spread the illness.
生病了要多休息，不要做剧烈运动。
shēng bìng le yào duō xiū xi， bú yào zuò jù liè yùn dòng。
When you are sick, rest more and don't do intense exercise.
Mini dialogue
你生病了吗？
A
你今天怎么没来学校？
Nǐ jīntiān zěnme méi lái xuéxiào?
Why didn't you come to school today?
B
我生病了，在家休息。
Wǒ shēngbìng le, zài jiā xiūxi.
I fell ill and am resting at home.
妈妈不舒服
A
妈妈看起来没精神。
Māma kàn qǐlái méi jīngshen.
Mom looks tired.
B
她生病了，我们小声一点。
Tā shēngbìng le, wǒmen xiǎoshēng yīdiǎn.
She is sick. Let's be a little quieter.
Related words and contrasts
related
感冒
gǎnmào
to have a cold
感冒 is a common type of 生病, meaning to catch a cold.
related
发烧
fāshāo
to have a fever
发烧 is a common symptom when you are 生病.
opposite
健康
jiànkāng
healthy
健康 means healthy, the opposite of being 生病.