Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
麻醉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
麻醉mázuìanesthesiaHSK 7, nr, 26 strokes, rank #5309, Very Hard
麻醉mázuìfig. to poison (sb's mind)HSK 7, nr, 26 strokes, rank #5309, Very Hard
mázuì(ma2zui4)ma zui T2
  1. 1anesthesia
  2. 2fig. to poison (sb's mind)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

麻醉mázuì(ma2zui4)

麻醉 (mázuì) refers to anesthesia, a medical procedure that induces a loss of sensation or consciousness. It can also be used figuratively to describe the act of dulling someone’s awareness or critical thinking, as if 'poisoning' their mind. This dual meaning highlights both its medical usage and a metaphorical application in discussions about influence or manipulation.

Strokes26Frequency#5309DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese medicine, the use of 麻醉 is rooted in traditional practices, where herbal anesthetics were commonly used before modern methods became prevalent. This reflects the balance of ancient wisdom and contemporary medical practices in China.

Memory tip

Imagine a doctor administering麻醉 (mázuì) to a patient before surgery. Visualize a large, cozy 'ma' (麻) with a 'zui' (醉) sign, which is similar to the feeling of being drunk or out of it. This helps connect the sound 'ma' with anesthesia and the 'zui' with a dulled sense of awareness.

Meanings of 麻醉

mázuì(ma2zui4)
1anesthesia
2fig. to poison (sb's mind)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 麻醉 means.

About 麻醉

麻醉Simplified
26Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#5309Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 麻醉

JasonAmy

Podcast: 麻醉

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 麻醉

Quick Contrast

麻醉 (mázuì) vs 麻痹 (mábì): Use 麻醉 when referring specifically to anesthesia or numbing sensation, while 麻痹 indicates a broader sense of paralysis or being rendered ineffective.

Usage Notes

麻醉 is typically used in medical contexts, so be cautious of its figurative use in casual conversation. A common mistake is to confuse 麻醉 with similar-sounding words like 麻烦 (máfan) which means trouble. Always remember to use the correct tone: 麻 (2nd tone) and 醉 (4th tone) to convey the intended meaning accurately.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 level word, 麻醉 connects to other medical terms and discussions about health. Focus on using it in context, such as discussing medical procedures or the effects of certain substances on perception to enhance your vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse麻醉 (mázuì) with麻烦 (máfan), leading to incorrect phrases like '我需要麻烦' instead of '我需要麻醉' when talking about a medical procedure. Always confirm the context to avoid such errors.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 麻醉

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 麻醉, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 麻醉 to you

Let me explain 麻醉 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 麻醉 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 麻醉?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 麻醉 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

麻máhemp
HSK 711 strokes麻
View full entry
醉zuìintoxicated
HSK 515 strokes酉
View full entry

How to say anesthesia in Chinese

“anesthesia” in Chinese is麻醉mázuì

麻醉 (mázuì) refers to anesthesia, a medical procedure that induces a loss of sensation or consciousness. It can also be used figuratively to describe the act of dulling someone’s awareness or critical thinking, as if 'poisoning' their mind. This dual meaning highlights both its medical usage and a metaphorical application in discussions about influence or manipulation.

When to use 麻醉

麻醉 is typically used in medical contexts, so be cautious of its figurative use in casual conversation. A common mistake is to confuse 麻醉 with similar-sounding words like 麻烦 (máfan) which means trouble. Always remember to use the correct tone: 麻 (2nd tone) and 醉 (4th tone) to convey the intended meaning accurately.

麻醉 or something close to it

麻醉 (mázuì) vs 麻痹 (mábì): Use 麻醉 when referring specifically to anesthesia or numbing sensation, while 麻痹 indicates a broader sense of paralysis or being rendered ineffective.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse麻醉 (mázuì) with麻烦 (máfan), leading to incorrect phrases like '我需要麻烦' instead of '我需要麻醉' when talking about a medical procedure. Always confirm the context to avoid such errors.

Write 麻醉

麻
醉

Practice writing 麻醉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar patterns of 麻醉

麻醉 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

他们验明6种植物有可能提炼出药物____剂。

They identified six plants as having potential for development into pharmaceutical drugs.

Example sentences for 麻醉 (9)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他们验明6种植物有可能提炼出药物麻醉剂。

tāmen yàn míng6 zhòngzhí wù yǒu kěnéng tíliàn chū yàowù mázuì jì。

They identified six plants as having potential for development into pharmaceutical drugs.
2
每年有5,000人对麻醉剂产生致命反应。

měi nián yǒu5,000 rén duì mázuì jì chǎnshēng zhìmìng fǎnyìng。

Every year, 5000 people have life-threatening reactions to anaesthetics.
3
酒精是一种能麻醉大脑的烈性药物。

jiǔjīng shì yī zhǒng néng mázuì dànǎo de liè xìng yàowù。

Alcohol is a potent drug that anaesthetizes the brain.
4
任何人都可能会进来在酒中掺麻醉剂。

rènhé rén dōu kěnéng huì jìnlái zài jiǔ zhōng càn mázuì jì。

Anyone could have got in and doped the wine.
5
该手术是在全身麻醉情况下实施的。

gāi shǒushù shì zài quánshēn mázuì qíngkuàng xià shíshī de。

The operation is carried out under a general anaesthetic.
6
别担心, 做手术时会让你的狗麻醉的.

bié dānxīn, zuò shǒushù shí huì ràng nǐ de gǒu mázuì de.

Don't worry. Your dog will be put to sleep for the operation.
7
有的母亲分娩时选择硬膜外麻醉。

yǒude mǔqīn fēn miǎn shí xuǎnzé yìng mó wài mázuì。

Some mothers choose to have an epidural when giving birth.
8
在研究可卡因用于神经阻滞麻醉的过程中, 他和部分助手染上了药瘾.

zài yánjiū kě kǎ yīn yòngyú shénjīng zǔ zhì mázuì de guòchéng zhōng, tā hé bùfen zhùshǒu rǎn shàng le yào yǐn.

While working with cocaine for nerve block anesthesia, he and some of his associates became addicted.
9
牙医的麻醉注射使我的下腭仍然有酥痒的感觉.

yá yī de mázuì zhùshè shǐ wǒ de xià è réngrán yǒu sū yǎng de gǎnjué.

My jaw still tickles from the dentist's injection.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 麻醉?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 麻醉

麻醉 (mázuì) refers specifically to anesthesia, while 麻烦 (máfan) means trouble or inconvenience.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 麻醉?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab