僵直 (jiāng zhí) is an adjective describing a physical state of extreme rigidity or stiffness—especially in the body—where muscles lose flexibility and movement becomes difficult or impossible. The first character 僵 (jiāng) means 'stiff', 'rigid', or 'lifeless' (as in 僵尸 'zombie'), while 直 (zhí) means 'straight' or 'upright'. Together, they emphasize unnatural, unyielding straightness and immobility, often implying tension, pain, or neurological impairment.

This term is commonly used in medical, therapeutic, or descriptive contexts—for example, when discussing muscle spasms, post-stroke conditions, or prolonged immobility after injury. It’s more formal and clinical than casual words like 发硬 (fā yìng, 'to harden') and carries connotations of pathology or functional limitation rather than simple posture. While it can occasionally describe objects metaphorically, its primary usage relates to human or animal physiology.