麻痹

麻痺
mábì
verb HSK 7-9 #8,888

Meanings

  1. 1 to numb; to paralyze
  2. 2 paralysis; numbness
  3. 3 to lull into complacency; to lower one's guard

Examples

HSK 2
Tā de zuǒtuǐ yǐjīng mábì le.
His left leg is already paralyzed.
HSK 7-9
Bùyào mábì-dàyì.
Don't let your guard down and get careless.
HSK 7-9
Jiǔjīng huì mábì shénjīng.
Alcohol numbs the nerves.

Tips

usage
麻痹 has two very different uses: medical (physical paralysis/numbness) and figurative (letting your guard down). The phrase 麻痹大意 (careless and complacent) is extremely common - it means being so relaxed that you forget to be cautious.
register
In colloquial/vulgar speech (especially online), 麻痹 or 妈逼 (mābī) is used as a strong expletive. Context makes the meaning clear - the medical/figurative uses are always obvious from surrounding words.

Stroke Order