呆 (dāi) - stupid, foolish, dull & blank, expressionless

呆Tone 1

dāi ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 口

橙丁

呆 · dāi

stupid, foolish, dull;

blank, expressionless;

to stay

stupid, foolish, dullblank, expressionlessto stay

Usage highlights

stupiddumbfoundedin a dazefoolish personwooden chickenstay at home

Synonyms

  • 傻— stupid, foolish
  • 笨— stupid, clumsy
  • 痴— idiotic, infatuated

Antonyms

  • 聪— clever, intelligent
  • 明— bright, clear
  • 灵— quick, clever

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He looks dumbfounded (目瞪口呆).
  • Don't just stand there like a fool (别发呆).
  • The child stared blankly (呆若木鸡).
  • She stayed at home for a week (在家呆了一周).

Collocations

  • stupid(呆子)
  • dumbfounded(目瞪口呆)
  • in a daze(发呆)
  • foolish person(呆人)
  • wooden chicken(呆若木鸡)
  • stay at home(呆在家里)

Idioms

  • Dumbstruck(目瞪口呆)
  • Like a wooden chicken(呆若木鸡)
  • Foolish and clumsy(呆头呆脑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant 'to stay, remain' but evolved to mean 'stupid' through association with immobility and lack of expression.
  • In modern usage, often appears in compounds describing foolishness or blank expressions.
  • The character combines 'mouth' (口) with 'wood' (木), suggesting wooden speech or expression.

FAQ