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瘫痪 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
瘫痪tānhuànparalysisHSK 7, v, rank #6576, Hard
瘫痪tānhuànbe paralyzed (body, transportation, etc)HSK 7, v, rank #6576, Hard
tānhuàn(tan1huan4) T1
  1. 1paralysis
  2. 2be paralyzed (body, transportation, etc)
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March 24, 2026
瘫痪(癱瘓)tānhuàn(tan1huan4)

瘫痪 (tān huàn) refers to a loss of voluntary movement or sensation in a part of the body, often resulting from damage to the nervous system. It can also be used metaphorically to describe a complete halt in functionality, such as in transportation or operations. The term is commonly used in medical contexts and discussions of health, as well as in broader discussions about systems that are incapacitated.

Frequency#6576DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions of health and disability are often approached with sensitivity. The concept of 瘫痪 can evoke empathy and concern, highlighting the importance of health care and support systems in society.

Memory Tip

Think of 瘫痪 as a 'tanned hand' that has lost its ability to move. The character 瘫 includes the radical 疒 (illness) suggesting something is wrong with the body, while 痪 relates to the condition of paralysis. Imagine a hand that is tanned from the sun but unable to move, reinforcing the idea of paralysis.

Meanings of 瘫痪

tānhuàn(tan1huan4)
1paralysis
2be paralyzed (body, transportation, etc)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 瘫痪

瘫痪Simplified
癱瘓Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#6576Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 瘫痪

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Podcast: 瘫痪

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AI Study Notes for 瘫痪

Quick Contrast

瘫痪 (tānhuàn) vs 停止 (tíngzhǐ) — use 瘫痪 when referring to loss of function due to a condition, while 停止 implies a voluntary stop.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 瘫痪 as a 'tanned hand' that has lost its ability to move. The character 瘫 includes the radical 疒 (illness) suggesting something is wrong with the body, while 痪 relates to the condition of paralysis. Imagine a hand that is tanned from the sun but unable to move, reinforcing the idea of paralysis.

Usage Notes

Be careful with the context in which you use 瘫痪; it is typically used in serious discussions about health or functionality. Common collocations include '瘫痪状态' (state of paralysis) and '瘫痪交通' (paralyzed traffic). Also, remember that it carries a negative connotation, so it’s not suitable for light-hearted conversations.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 瘫痪 connects to other medical and technical vocabulary, enriching your understanding of health-related topics in Chinese. Focus on the nuances of its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts to enhance your fluency.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, discussions of health and disability are often approached with sensitivity. The concept of 瘫痪 can evoke empathy and concern, highlighting the importance of health care and support systems in society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 瘫痪 with similar terms like 麻痹 (numbness) or 失去 (loss). For example, saying '我感到瘫痪' (I feel paralyzed) is incorrect unless it refers to a specific medical condition; a more accurate expression would be '我感到麻痹' (I feel numb).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 瘫痪

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Component Characters

tānparalyzed
HSK 715 strokes
View full entry
huànillness
12 strokes
View full entry

Write 瘫痪

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

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Grammar Patterns of 瘫痪

瘫痪 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 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 1

Complete the Sentence

这次地震造成了房屋倒塌,道路中断,乃至通讯完全____。

The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, roads to be severed, and even communications to be completely paralyzed.

Example Sentences for 瘫痪 (3)

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1
一场暴风雨致使公路隐患重重且电力瘫痪。

yī cháng bào fēng yǔ zhì shǐ gōng lù yǐn huàn zhòng zhòng qiě diàn lì tān huàn。

A storm has made roads treacherous and knocked out power.
2
龙的毒素会引起瘫痪、肿胀和恶心。

lóng de dú sù huì yǐn qǐ tān huàn、 、 zhǒng zhàng hé è。

Poison from the weaver fish causes paralysis, swelling, and nausea.
3
蛇用其毒液使受害者失去知觉或瘫痪.

shé yòng qí dú yè shǐ shòu hài zhě shī qù zhī jué huò tān huàn.

The snake uses its venom to stun or paralyze its victims.

Cultural Notes for 瘫痪

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, discussions of health and disability are often approached with sensitivity. The concept of 瘫痪 can evoke empathy and concern, highlighting the importance of health care and support systems in society.

Frequently Asked Questions about 瘫痪

No, 瘫痪 can also be used metaphorically to describe systems or processes that are completely halted.