痺(しび)れる

しびれる
verb (ichidan)
to become numb, to tingle
1. to become numb, to go numb, to tingle
To lose sensation in a body part, often due to pressure, cold, or lack of circulation.
正座(せいざ)をしていたら足(あし)が痺(しび)れた。
My legs went numb from sitting in seiza.
寒(さむ)くて手(て)が痺(しび)れてきた。
My hands are getting numb from the cold.
2. to be thrilled, to be blown away
To be deeply moved or impressed by something, often used for music, performances, or cool actions.
彼(かれ)のギターソロに痺(しび)れた。
I was blown away by his guitar solo.
あの台詞(せりふ)には痺(しび)れるね。
That line really gets you, doesn't it?

TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞(じどうし) (intransitive). Transitive counterpart: 痺(しび)れさせる (causative).

ASPECT: 痺(しび)れている indicates an ongoing state of numbness.

COMMON CONTEXTS (Sense 1):

  • 正座(せいざ)で足(あし)が痺(しび)れる (legs going numb from sitting seiza)
  • 電気(でんき)で痺(しび)れる (get an electric shock)
  • 寒(さむ)さで痺(しび)れる (go numb from cold)

SLANG USAGE (Sense 2):
Popular in casual speech to express being deeply impressed or moved. Similar to 'that's so cool' or 'I'm blown away.'

RELATED: 麻痺(まひ) (paralysis) is a related medical term.

Related Words

Related: 麻痺(まひ) (related noun)
core
Added 2026.1.18 16:17 · Revised 2026.2.3 23:48
06500/06814_shibireru