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March 24, 2026
麻痹(麻痺)mábì(ma2bi4)
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.
Frequency#8888DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
The concept of 麻痹 is relevant in traditional Chinese medicine, where the idea of 'numbness' can relate to imbalances in the body's energy or 'qi'. This reflects a broader cultural understanding of health and well-being.
Memory Tip
Think of 麻 (má) as 'hemp' which can be associated with sensation dulled by its use, and 痹 (bì) resembling the sound 'bee' which can buzz around a numb area. Imagine a bee buzzing around a part of your body that has gone numb, representing the loss of feeling.
Meanings of 麻痹
mábì(ma2bi4)
1paralysis
2palsy
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 麻痹
麻痹Simplified
麻痺Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#8888Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 麻痹
Podcast: 麻痹
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AI Study Notes for 麻痹
Quick Contrast
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.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 麻 (má) as 'hemp' which can be associated with sensation dulled by its use, and 痹 (bì) resembling the sound 'bee' which can buzz around a numb area. Imagine a bee buzzing around a part of your body that has gone numb, representing the loss of feeling.
Usage Notes
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.
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
The concept of 麻痹 is relevant in traditional Chinese medicine, where the idea of 'numbness' can relate to imbalances in the body's energy or 'qi'. This reflects a broader cultural understanding of health and well-being.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 麻痹
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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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
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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1
他走路时一瘸一拐的，那是小儿麻痹的后遗症。
tā zǒu lù shí yī qué yī guǎi de， ， nà shì xiǎo ér má bì de hòu yí。
He dragged a foot when he walked, a leftover from polio.
2
他幼年患过小儿麻痹症，结果腿就瘸了。
tā yòu nián huàn guò xiǎo ér má bì zhèng， ， jié guǒ tuǐ jiù qué。
He was crippled by polio as a child.
3
现在的他四肢麻痹，只能呆在轮椅上。
xiàn zài de tā sì zhī má bì， ， zhī néng dāi zài lún yǐ。
He is now quadriplegic and confined to a wheelchair.
4
他的怒火渐渐平息了, 那种茫茫然的麻痹的感觉又兜上了心头.
tā de nù huǒ jiàn jiàn píng xī le, , nà zhǒng máng máng rán de má bì de gǎn jué yòu dōu shàng le xīn.
His anger lapsed, and the numbness of bewilderment returned.
5
格拉迪丝3岁时因小儿麻痹症腿瘸了。
gé lā dí sī3 3 suì shí yīn xiǎo ér má bì zhèng tuǐ qué。
Gladys was crippled by polio at the age of
6
她因患小儿麻痹症而瘸了.
tā yīn huàn xiǎo ér má bì zhèng ér qué le.
She's lame from polio.
Cultural Notes for 麻痹
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of 麻痹 is relevant in traditional Chinese medicine, where the idea of 'numbness' can relate to imbalances in the body's energy or 'qi'. This reflects a broader cultural understanding of health and well-being.
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.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically to describe emotional numbness or apathy towards issues.
While it is used, it is more common in written contexts or discussions related to health rather than casual conversation.
