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麻醉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
麻醉mázuìanesthesiaHSK 7, nr, rank #5309, Hard
麻醉mázuìfig. to poison (sb's mind)HSK 7, nr, rank #5309, Hard
mázuì(ma2zui4) T2
  1. 1anesthesia
  2. 2fig. to poison (sb's mind)
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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.

Frequency#5309DifficultyHard
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

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About 麻醉

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

Podcast: 麻醉

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Podcast: 麻醉

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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.

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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.

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.

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

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Component Characters

hemp
HSK 711 strokes
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zuìintoxicated
HSK 515 strokes
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Write 麻醉

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

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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

Complete the Sentence

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)

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1
他们验明6种植物有可能提炼出药物麻醉剂。

tā mén yàn míng6 6 zhǒng zhí wù yǒu kě néng tí liàn chū yào wù má zuì。

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 5,000 rén duì má zuì jì chǎn shēng zhì mìng fǎn。

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。

jiǔ jīng shì yī zhǒng néng má zuì dà nǎo de liè xìng yào wù。

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。

rèn hé rén dū kě néng huì jìn lái zài jiǔ zhōng chān má zuì 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 shǒu shù shì zài quán shēn má zuì qíng kuàng xià shí shī 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 dān xīn, , zuò shǒu shù shí huì ràng nǐ de gǒu má zuì.

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。

yǒu de mǔ qīn fēn miǎn shí xuǎn zé yìng mó wài má zuì。

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 yán jiū kě kǎ yīn yòng yú shén jīng zǔ zhì má zuì de guò chéng zhōng, , tā hé bù fēn zhù shǒu rǎn shàng le yào.

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 má zuì zhù shè shǐ wǒ de xià è réng rán yǒu sū yǎng de gǎn jué.

My jaw still tickles from the dentist's injection.

Cultural Notes for 麻醉

🏮Cultural insight

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.

Frequently Asked Questions about 麻醉

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