Definition
麻 (má) as 'numb/tingling' is a prickling sensation (e.g., pins-and-needles or spice heat), while 麻木 is complete numbness and 麻痹 is medical paralysis. As 'rough/coarse', it describes an uneven surface (like unpolished wood), similar to 粗糙 but distinct from 粗 which also means 'thick' or 'rude'.
adjective
numbtingling (from lack of circulation or spicy food)roughcoarse (of texture)
Measure word · 缕
Easily confused
- 嘛malook-alike(modal particle) marks a statement as obvious or self-evident, used in explanations and gentle suggestions
- 吗masound-alike(question particle) used to form yes-no questions
- 床chuánglook-alikebed
- 马mǎsound-alikehorse
- 淋línlook-aliketo drench, to pour (a liquid) over
- 码mǎsound-alike(classifier) yard (unit of length)
- 码mǎsound-aliketo stack, to pile up
- 骂màsound-aliketo scold, to curse, to abuse
Examples
- 麻，。Wǒ de jiǎo zuò má le, zhàn bù qǐlái.My foot went numb from sitting; I can't stand up.
- 麻。Zhè zhǒng huājiāo chī qǐlai hěn má.This kind of Sichuan pepper tastes very numbing.
- 麻，。Zhè kuài mùtou biǎomiàn hěn má, xūyào dǎmó yíxià.The surface of this wood is rough; it needs sanding.
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