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麻木 (má mù) — numb (physically, lacking sensation); apathetic, insensitive (emotionally or mentally)

Definition

Covers both physical numbness and emotional apathy — use 漠然 only for emotional indifference. 麻 is the physical 'tingling/numb' sensation alone, while 麻痹 stresses the medical or figurative 'lulled into complacency' sense.

adjective
numb (physically, lacking sensation)apatheticinsensitive (emotionally or mentally)

Examples

  • ，麻木。
    Tiān qì tài lěng, wǒ de shǒu zhǐ dōu dòng má mù le.
    It's so cold that my fingers have gone numb from the frost.
  • 麻木。
    Tā duì zhōu wéi fā shēng de shì yǐ jīng má mù le.
    He has become numb to what's happening around him.
  • 麻木。
    Cháng qī chóng fù de gōng zuò ràng rén jīng shén má mù.
    Long-term repetitive work makes people mentally numb.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

麻mánumb
木mùwooden

Numbness and wooden stiffness combine to mean loss of feeling or emotional dullness.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

麻 combines 厂 and 𣏟 to represent hemp leaves.

Open 麻 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

木 is drawn as a tree, with branches above and roots below.

Open 木 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Mental HealthIllness & Symptoms

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