na-adjective, noun
lame; lameness; crippled
Refers to a physical disability affecting walking; considered sensitive and potentially offensive. Use with caution.
彼は事故でかたちんばになってしまった。
He became lame after an accident.
na-adjective, noun
mismatched; odd (e.g. shoes)
Describes a pair of things that do not match, especially shoes or socks. Often used in the phrase かたちんばの靴.
急いでいたので、かたちんばの靴下を履いてきてしまった。
I was in a hurry, so I ended up wearing mismatched socks.
Also means lame or crippled, but can be used more broadly for physical disability. かたちんば emphasizes the 'one-sided' or 'unbalanced' nature of the lameness.
Means uneven or irregular; used for mismatched sets in general, but lacks the specific nuance of lameness or odd pairs that かたちんば carries.
Compound of 片 (kata, 'one side') and ちんば (chinba, 'lame'). The exact origin of ちんば is uncertain, but it may be related to mimetic words for limping or imbalance.