maa4 muk6麻木
Jyutpingmaa4 muk6
Yalemàh muhk
Definition
Numb and unable to feel physical sensation, or emotionally apathetic and indifferent.
- numb; physically insensitive to touch or stimulation
- figurativeapathetic; emotionally numb or indifferent from overexposure
colloquialbodyemotion
How it's used
Beyond physical numbness, this word is frequently used to describe emotional detachment or a lack of empathy resulting from repeated exposure to negative events. It carries a sense of being desensitized rather than just indifferent. When describing physical sensations, it is almost always paired with the aspect marker 晒 to emphasize the completeness of the feeling loss.
Examples
My leg has gone completely numb from sitting, I cannot walk.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 痺, which specifically refers to the tingling, pins and needles sensation often caused by restricted blood flow. While 痺 often precedes numbness, 麻木 implies a more total lack of sensation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
