To Grow Senile
To Be Mentally Slow
intransitive verb, ichidan verb
This word consists of kanji with hiragana attached. Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means shock. What happens when you're so old that your brain goes into shock? You start to grow senile. It's sad, but lots of people can't handle being old and they get like this.
ぼける
ほうける
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:
When you start to grow senile you'll make a new friend. It's Bobo (ぼ) the clown! No one else can see him though, but that's okay! He'll become your very best friend. And he won't leave until you finally kick the bucket.
あの芸人は呆けるのが本当にうまい。
That actor is really good at acting senile.