麻木不仁 (mā) — (figurative) apathetic, indifferent, callous; (literal) numb, paralyzed (of a body part)
Definition
A chengyu meaning literally 'numb and unfeeling', used to describe a person or attitude that is callous and indifferent to others' suffering. The figurative 'apathetic/callous' sense is far more common than the literal physical numbness.
idiom
(figurative) apatheticindifferentcallous(literal) numbparalyzed (of a body part)
Examples
- 麻木不仁，。Tā duì shēn biān rén de tòng kǔ mā, ràng rén xīn hán.He's so numb to the suffering of those around him that it chills people.
- 麻木不仁。Zhè zhǒng mā de tài dù shì tuán duì zuì dà de wèn tí.This kind of indifferent attitude is the team's biggest problem.
- 麻木不仁，。Tā de zuǒ tuǐ shòu shāng hòu biàn de mā, xū yào mǎ shàng zhì liáo.His left leg became numb after the injury and needs immediate treatment.
Appears in
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