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痲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
痲mápock-marked; measles; leprosyx, 13 strokes, radical 疒
痲mánumbunknown, 13 strokes, radical 疒
má(ma2) T2
  1. 1pock-marked; measles; leprosy
  2. 2numb
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

痲má(ma2)

The character 痲 (má) refers to skin conditions, particularly those that cause pockmarks, such as measles and leprosy. It can also describe a sensation of numbness. This character is often used in medical contexts or when discussing specific health issues related to the skin.

Strokes13Radical疒
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, skin conditions like those represented by 痲 are often seen as indicative of internal imbalances or external influences, reflecting a holistic approach to health.

Memory Tip

Imagine a pock-marked face, which looks like it has many small, uneven bumps—this image can help you remember 痲. The '麻' part of the character resembles a rough surface, emphasizing the texture of skin conditions.

Meanings of 痲

má(ma2)
1pock-marked; measles; leprosy
2numb
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 痲

痲Simplified
13Strokes
疒Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 痲

JasonAmy

Podcast: 痲

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 痲

Usage Notes

When using 痲, it's important to be aware of the context, as it can be seen as sensitive or formal when discussing illnesses. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words that describe other skin conditions; always clarify the specific condition being referred to.

HSK Study Tips

While 痲 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your medical vocabulary at higher levels. Students should focus on distinguishing it from other characters with similar pronunciations and meanings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 痲 with 麻 (má), which means 'hemp' or 'numbness,' leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 痲 instead of 麻 when describing numbness in a limb would be incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 痲

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Etymology of 痲

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

sickness

Semantic (meaning)疒
+
Phonetic (sound)林
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 痲

  1. 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half林 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaysickness
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 痲? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 痲?

Decomposition of 痲

IDS Structure⿸疒林
痲Full Character
=
疒ne4
enclosing
林Lin2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 痲?

How to say pock-marked; measles; leprosy in Chinese

“pock-marked; measles; leprosy” in Chinese is痲má

The character 痲 (má) refers to skin conditions, particularly those that cause pockmarks, such as measles and leprosy. It can also describe a sensation of numbness. This character is often used in medical contexts or when discussing specific health issues related to the skin.

When to use 痲

When using 痲, it's important to be aware of the context, as it can be seen as sensitive or formal when discussing illnesses. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding words that describe other skin conditions; always clarify the specific condition being referred to.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 痲 with 麻 (má), which means 'hemp' or 'numbness,' leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying 痲 instead of 麻 when describing numbness in a limb would be incorrect.

Write 痲

痲

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 痲

Words Containing This Character1
痲mánumb
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 痲 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 痲

In a medical context, 痲 refers to skin conditions like measles and leprosy, indicating pock-marked skin.

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