痹 (bì) - numbness & paralysis

痹Tone 4

bì ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

痹 · bì

numbness;

paralysis;

apathy;

numbness or loss of sensation in the body;

also refers to apathy or indifference.

numbnessparalysisapathy

Usage highlights

paralysisanesthesianumbnessrheumatismparalyzednumb limbs

Synonyms

  • 麻— numb; tingling
  • 瘫— paralysis; paralyzed

Antonyms

  • 敏— sensitive; acute
  • 觉— feeling; awareness

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • My leg feels numb (腿麻了).
  • He suffers from paralysis (他患有麻痹).
  • This is a type of anesthetic (这是一种麻醉剂).
  • Don't be apathetic towards danger (不要对危险麻痹大意).

Collocations

  • paralysis(麻痹)
  • anesthesia(麻醉)
  • numbness(麻木)
  • rheumatism(风湿痹)
  • paralyzed(痹瘫)
  • numb limbs(肢体痹)

Idioms

  • Paralyzed and careless(麻痹大意)
  • Numb and unfeeling(麻木不仁)
  • Paralyzed by fear(惊悸痹阻)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, '痹' refers to blockage of qi and blood flow causing pain or numbness.
  • The character appears in medical texts describing conditions like rheumatism and paralysis.
  • Metaphorically used to describe mental apathy or indifference to external stimuli.

FAQ