Meanings of 麻痹
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Podcast: 麻痹
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AI Study Notes for 麻痹
麻木 (mánù) - use 麻痹 when referring to a state of paralysis or lack of responsiveness, while 麻木 emphasizes numbness or insensitivity without the implication of paralysis.
Common mistakes include confusing 麻痹 with similar sounding words that imply different states of being. Use it in both formal and informal settings, but be cautious with tone; the second tone (má) is often mispronounced as the first tone.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 麻痹 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to health and emotional states. Focus on its nuanced meanings in different contexts, particularly its figurative uses in discussions about apathy or negligence.
Learners often confuse 麻痹 with 麻木 (mánù), which also means numbness but lacks the connotation of negligence. A wrong example would be saying '我感到麻痹' (wǒ gǎndào má bì) when '我感到麻木' (wǒ gǎndào mánù) is more appropriate for just physical numbness.
Pronunciation of 麻痹
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Component Characters
How to say paralysis in Chinese
“paralysis” in Chinese is麻痹
麻痹 (má bì) refers to a state of paralysis or numbness, both physically and figuratively. It can describe a lack of responsiveness in the body or a mental state of negligence and apathy, often used in contexts where someone is unresponsive or indifferent to important matters.
When to use 麻痹
Common mistakes include confusing 麻痹 with similar sounding words that imply different states of being. Use it in both formal and informal settings, but be cautious with tone; the second tone (má) is often mispronounced as the first tone.
麻痹 or something close to it
麻木 (mánù) - use 麻痹 when referring to a state of paralysis or lack of responsiveness, while 麻木 emphasizes numbness or insensitivity without the implication of paralysis.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 麻痹 with 麻木 (mánù), which also means numbness but lacks the connotation of negligence. A wrong example would be saying '我感到麻痹' (wǒ gǎndào má bì) when '我感到麻木' (wǒ gǎndào mánù) is more appropriate for just physical numbness.
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Grammar Patterns of 麻痹
麻痹 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
他走路时一瘸一拐的，那是小儿____的后遗症。
He dragged a foot when he walked, a leftover from polio.
Example Sentences for 麻痹 (6)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 麻痹
麻痹 refers specifically to paralysis or numbness, while 失去感觉 means 'to lose sensation' and can be used more broadly.
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