毛病 (máobìng) reflects a very practical and non-dramatic approach to problems in Chinese culture. It's a common, everyday word used to diagnose issues without much fuss. A key cultural point is its use in direct confrontation. In English, asking “What's your problem?” can be aggressive. The Chinese equivalent, “你有什么毛病？” (Nǐ yǒu shéme máobìng?) or more commonly “你有毛病啊？” (Nǐ yǒu máobìng a?), takes this to another level. It's not a genuine inquiry but a blunt, rude accusation that translates more closely to “What's wrong with you?!” or “Are you nuts?!”. It implies the person's behavior is so irrational it must be a “fault” in their brain. Understanding this is crucial to avoid major social blunders. Compared to the English concept of a “flaw,” 毛病 is less formal and more versatile. A “character flaw” in English sounds serious and deeply ingrained. A person's 毛病 in Chinese, however, could be as simple as “being lazy” (懒) or “procrastinating” (拖延症), and is often discussed with a lighter, more accepting tone (unless used in the confrontational manner above).
毛病 is an incredibly useful word you'll hear constantly. Its meaning changes entirely based on context.