tê liệt
Definition
Adjective:
- Paralyzed: Describes a body part or organism that has lost the ability to move or feel sensation due to disease or injury.
- Paralyzed / Crippled: Describes a system, organization, or activity that has completely stopped functioning or is severely incapacitated.
Verb (less common):
- To paralyze: To cause something or someone to become paralyzed.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- Sau tai nạn, chân anh ấy bị tê liệt. (After the accident, his leg was paralyzed.)
- Thành phố rơi vào tình trạng tê liệt sau trận bão. (The city was paralyzed after the storm.)
- Hệ thống giao thông bị tê liệt hoàn toàn. (The transportation system was completely crippled.)
Verb:
- Cuộc tấn công nhằm tê liệt các trung tâm chỉ huy của đối phương. (The attack aimed to paralyze the enemy's command centers.)
Advanced Usage
- Used figuratively to describe a state of complete inaction or shock.
- Nỗi sợ hãi làm tê liệt tâm trí cô ấy. (Fear paralyzed her mind.)
Variants and Related Words
Liệt (v/adj): To be paralyzed; paralysis. Often used in medical contexts.
- Bệnh nhân bị liệt nửa người. (The patient is hemiplegic.)
Tê (adj): Numb. Describes a temporary loss of sensation, often from cold or pressure, distinct from permanent paralysis.
- Tay tôi bị tê vì ngồi lâu. (My hand is numb from sitting too long.)
Synonyms
- Paralyzed: Incapable of movement or sensation.
- Crippled: Rendered unable to function normally.
- Immobilized: Rendered motionless or inoperative.
- Inactive: Not functioning or operating.
Related Idioms
- Làm tê liệt ý chí: To paralyze the will.
- Thất bại liên tiếp có thể làm tê liệt ý chí. (Consecutive failures can paralyze the will.)