勃起

bóqǐ

verb #31,706

Meanings

1 to have an erection (penile)
2 (of a tissue) to become erect
3 (formal) to suddenly rise / spring up

Characters

vigorous / suddenly

Examples

勃起功能障碍可以通过药物治疗。

Bóqǐ gōngnéng zhàng'ài kěyǐ tōngguò yàowù zhìliáo.

Erectile dysfunction can be treated with medication.

新兴产业勃起，带动了整个经济。

Xīnxīng chǎnyè bóqǐ, dàidòng le zhěng gè jīngjì.

Emerging industries have sprung up, driving the whole economy. (literary)

Tips

register

In modern Chinese, 勃起 is overwhelmingly the medical / clinical term for an erection — neutral and non-vulgar, as used by doctors and pharmacists (e.g. 勃起功能障碍 ED, 勃起药物 ED medication). It does have a literary sense "to suddenly rise / spring up" (industries, movements), but that usage is rare and bookish; readers will assume the medical meaning unless heavy classical context says otherwise.

Stroke Order

勃 bó

起 qǐ