Japanese Conversation · Level 38
90 words
Japanese word
しびれる
Pronunciation
Romajishibireru
Meaning
- verbbecome numb
Example
長く座ると、足がしびれます。naga ku suwa ru to ashi ga shi bi re ma su
My leg goes numb when I sit for a long time.
More examples
冷たい水に触れると、指先がしびれます。tsume ta i mizu ni fu re ru to yubi saki ga shi bi re ma su
My fingertips go numb when I touch cold water.
Core concept
Marks the shift from ordinary feeling to numbness or pins-and-needles in part of the body.
Common phrases
足がしびれるまでashi ga shi bi re ru ma de
until the legs go numb
Similar words
麻痺するmahisuru: To lose or greatly reduce sensation or movement in part of the body.
じんじんするjinjinsuru: To have a steady tingling sensation that continues in part of the body.
ピリピリするpiripirisuru: To feel sharp, prickling sensations in part of the body.
Definition in Japanese
圧迫などによって、体の一部が感覚を失ったり、細かく刺激を感じたりする状態になる。ap paku na do ni yo tte karada no ichi bu ga kan kaku o ushina tta ri koma ka ku shi geki o kan ji ta ri su ru jō tai ni na ru
Word origin
The native verb しびれる (shibireru, "become numb") is formed on the older verb しびる (shibiru, "become numb"); the modern form reflects its change to a vowel-stem conjugation.
Usage tips
- Unlike English numb, しびれる (shibireru) can describe tingling or prickling as well as reduced sensation, so context determines whether tingle or become numb fits.
Other meanings
- tingleverb
Related words
- しびれshibirenumbnessnoun