Translation and Meaning of: 痺れる - shibireru

If you have already studied Japanese or watched an anime, you have probably heard the word 痺れる (しびれる - shibireru). But what does it really mean? In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday usage, and even some curiosities about how this word is perceived in Japan. If you want to better understand this expression or are simply looking for reliable information about it, keep reading!

Meaning and translation of 痺れる (しびれる)

Shibireru (しびれる) is a Japanese verb that can be translated as "to become numb" or "to tingle," usually related to a physical sensation. When a part of the body "falls asleep" from staying in an uncomfortable position for too long, the Japanese use this word to describe that characteristic tingling.

In addition to its physical meaning, 痺れる can also be used metaphorically to describe an intense emotion, such as when someone becomes "paralyzed" by a strong impression. For example, an emotional scene in a movie might cause someone to say "心が痺れた" (kokoro ga shibireta - "my heart became numb"). This usage is less common but appears in literary contexts and more expressive conversations.

Origin and writing in kanji

The kanji 痺 (しび - shibi) is composed of the radical 疒 (which indicates diseases or physical conditions) and the component 卑 (which can suggest something "inferior" or "weak"). This combination reflects well the original meaning of the word, related to a sensation of weakness or numbness in the body. It's worth noting that, in modern Japanese, 痺れる is more commonly used as a verb, while the corresponding noun would be 痺れ (しびれ - shibire).

Interestingly, this kanji is not one of the most common in everyday life, and many Japanese people may end up writing しびれる in hiragana for simplicity. If you are learning Japanese, don't worry about memorizing it right away, but recognizing it can be useful in medical texts or more formal descriptions.

Everyday and cultural use

In Japan, 痺れる is a word that appears quite often in everyday situations, especially when someone sits for a long time in the seiza position (kneeling) and loses sensation in their legs. In these cases, it's common to hear phrases like "足が痺れた" (ashi ga shibireta - "my legs went numb").

Outside of the physical context, the metaphorical use of 痺れる is rarer, but it can be found in songs, poems, or dramas. An interesting example is when they describe the feeling of hearing a song so good that it "stuns" the listener. If you want to sound natural when using this word, first focus on the physical meaning and, over time, explore the more expressive uses.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• しびれる (shibireru) - tingling or numbness sensation in a part of the body.
• チクチクする (chikuchiku suru) - sensation of small prickles, like the one felt when touching a thorny plant.
• ピリピリする (piripiri suru) - burning or tingling sensation, often associated with mild pain or discomfort.
• ツーンとする (tsuun to suru) - sharp or strange sensation, usually associated with a momentary pain.
• チカチカする (chikachika suru) - sensation of glare or flicker, like bright lights that cause visual discomfort.

痺れる

Romaji: shibireru
Kana: しびれる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: become numb; go to sleep (i.e. a member)

Meaning in English: to become numb;to go to sleep (i.e. a limb)

Definition: Loss of sensation. Mainly numbness in the hands and feet.