顽疾

Traditional form:

頑疾

Pinyin (reading):

wánjí

Definitions:

• stubborn illness; chronic disease
• fig. deep-seated problem; systemic issue

Characters:

• 顽 - stubborn, recalcitrant, obstinate
• 疾 - sickness, illness, disease; to envy, to hate

Traditional characters:

• 頑 - stubborn, recalcitrant, obstinate
• 疾 - sickness, illness, disease; to envy, to hate