痴呆
Meanings
1
sensitive
Medical term for dementia. Now considered a sensitive or derogatory label; the preferred modern term is 認知症. Still encountered in older texts and legal contexts.
See also: 認知症
With the aging population, the number of dementia patients is increasing.
Nowadays the term 認知症 is used instead of 痴呆.
2
stupidity; foolishness; fool; idiot
Derogatory term for stupidity or a foolish person. Strongly pejorative; used as an insult. Less common in modern polite conversation.
Are you an idiot to do something like that?
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が痴呆になるfor someone to develop dementia
My grandmother developed dementia in her old age.
- 〈人〉を痴呆呼ばわりするto call someone an idiot
Every time he failed, he was called an idiot.
- 痴呆が進むfor dementia to progress
If left untreated, the dementia may progress further.