The word "病秧子" is formed by combining the character 病 (meaning "illness") with 秧 (meaning "seedling") and adding the nominal suffix 子. Here, 秧 is used metaphorically to convey the idea of a frail, young, or tender entity, similar to a delicate seedling. This construction literally translates to "sick seedling" and figuratively refers to a person who is chronically ill or weak, often from an early age.