taan1 wun6癱瘓瘫痪
Jyutpingtaan1 wun6
Yaletāan wuhn
Definition
Paralysed, either bodily or of a system that is unable to function.
- paralysed; unable to move or feel parts of the body
- figurativeparalysed; broken down; unable to function or operate
neutralhealthtransport
How it's used
Beyond describing medical conditions, this word is frequently used metaphorically to describe systems, infrastructure, or organizations that have completely ceased to function. When used for humans, it implies a severe and often permanent loss of motor function. It carries a heavy, serious tone and is not used for minor injuries or temporary numbness.
Examples
After he fell, his lower body became paralysed.
Traffic is completely paralysed, how is everyone going to work?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 痺, which refers to the temporary tingling or numbness one feels when a limb falls asleep. 癱瘓 implies a much more severe, often clinical or structural, loss of ability to function.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
