1.
bedridden, confined to bed
Unable to get out of bed due to illness, injury, or old age. Describes a state of being permanently or semi-permanently in bed.
祖母は寝たきりだ。
My grandmother is bedridden.
事故の後、寝たきりの生活が続いている。
Life confined to bed has continued since the accident.
寝たきりの高齢者を介護するのは体力的にも精神的にも大きな負担だ。
Caring for a bedridden elderly person is a great burden both physically and mentally.
寝たきり is formed from 寝た (past tense of 寝る, to lie down) + きり (only, just — indicating a state that does not change). It literally means "lying down and staying that way."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 寝たきりの高齢者 (bedridden elderly person)
- 寝たきりの状態 (bedridden condition)
- 寝たきりになる (to become bedridden)
- 寝たきり防止 (prevention of becoming bedridden)
USAGE:
This is an important word in discussions of aging, healthcare, and nursing care (介護) in Japan. 寝たきりにならない (not becoming bedridden) is a common health goal for the elderly. The word carries a serious, often somber tone.