Meanings of 痹
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About 痹
Podcast: 痹
Podcast: 痹
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AI Study Notes for 痹
痉 (jìng) — use 痹 (bì) for numbness or paralysis, while 痉 (jìng) refers specifically to spasms or convulsions.
When using 痹 (bì), it is important to note that it is often used in formal medical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include 痹症 (bì zhèng, paralysis symptoms) or 风湿痹 (fēng shī bì, rheumatism), so be mindful of these phrases to avoid awkward usage. Also, be careful with the tone; using a rising tone by mistake could confuse the meaning.
Although 痹 (bì) is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other medical terms and body-related vocabulary that learners might encounter. Students should focus on recognizing it in health contexts and practice its pronunciation to avoid tone errors.
Learners often confuse 痹 (bì) with similar-sounding characters, such as 必 (bì, meaning 'must'). For example, saying '我有必的感觉' instead of '我有痹的感觉' (I have a feeling of numbness) is incorrect; the right word is 痹 (bì).
Pronunciation of 痹
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Etymology of 痹
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 畀 represents the sound. Simplified form of 痺.
sickness
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 痹
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 畀 represents the sound. Simplified form of 痺.
- 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half畀 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaysickness
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 痹? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 痹
Identify the Components
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How to say paralysis in Chinese
“paralysis” in Chinese is痹
The character 痹 (bì) refers to physical conditions such as paralysis or numbness, often associated with pain or discomfort in the body. It is commonly used in medical contexts to describe ailments affecting mobility or sensation. Understanding this term can be particularly useful for discussions about health and wellness in Mandarin.
When to use 痹
When using 痹 (bì), it is important to note that it is often used in formal medical contexts rather than everyday conversation. Common collocations include 痹症 (bì zhèng, paralysis symptoms) or 风湿痹 (fēng shī bì, rheumatism), so be mindful of these phrases to avoid awkward usage. Also, be careful with the tone; using a rising tone by mistake could confuse the meaning.
痹 or something close to it
痉 (jìng) — use 痹 (bì) for numbness or paralysis, while 痉 (jìng) refers specifically to spasms or convulsions.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 痹 (bì) with similar-sounding characters, such as 必 (bì, meaning 'must'). For example, saying '我有必的感觉' instead of '我有痹的感觉' (I have a feeling of numbness) is incorrect; the right word is 痹 (bì).
Write 痹
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Practice writing 痹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 痹
痹 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
他走路时一瘸一拐的，那是小儿麻____的后遗症。
He dragged a foot when he walked, a leftover from polio.
Example Sentences for 痹 (6)
Word Family of 痹
Compound Meaning
What does 麻痹 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 痹
It refers to conditions like paralysis and numbness, often indicating a loss of sensation or mobility.
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