痴呆 chīdāi stupid
stupid; dull; (medicine) dementia
How to remember 痴呆: 痴 foolish + 呆 dull = stupid.
Characters
How it is used
- Dementia; also dull-witted - 老年痴呆 (lǎonián chīdāi) senile dementia; 痴呆症 (dementia).
- Medical use (dementia) is neutral; used of a person casually it's a harsh insult meaning idiotic/vacant.
- Reading chīdāi; the 呆 (dull) reinforces the blank, unresponsive sense. Distinguish from 痴迷 (obsessed).