1. 表示“疾病”,通常指具体的“疾病”(可数)。如:
Most diseases could be wiped out. 多数疾病是可以消灭的。
I caught the disease from you. 这病我是从你那传染来的。
【注】有时指具体疾病的总称(不可数),即通称的“疾病”。如:
Rats spread disease. 老鼠传染疾病。
Cleanliness helps prevent disease. 清洁有助于预防疾病。
2. 用于医学上表示各种病称。如:lung disease(肺病),heart disease(心脏病),a nervous disease(神经病),a sex disease(性病),skin disease(皮肤病),contagious diseases(传染病)等
【注】有个别搭配也用 illness。如:
mental illness [sickness] 精神病
3. 有关“疾病”的表达习惯:
你生了什么病?
正:What’s your trouble?
误:What’s your disease?
假期中他害了一场大病。
正:While on holiday he caught a serious disease.
误:While on holiday he caught a big (heavy) disease.