Definition
麻木不仁 is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'numb and not benevolent.' Its primary use is figurative: describing a person who is emotionally numb, indifferent, or apathetic toward others' suffering or toward issues that ought to provoke a reaction. It can also be used in a literal medical sense for a body part that has lost sensation. The tone is strongly negative — it criticizes someone's lack of empathy or concern.
f.e.
(figurative) apatheticindifferentcallous(literal) numbparalyzed (of a body part)
Examples
- 麻木不仁，。Tā duì shēnbiān rén de tòngkǔ mā, ràng rén xīnhán.He's so numb to the suffering of those around him that it chills people.
- 麻木不仁。Zhè zhǒng mā de tàidu shì tuánduì zuì dà de wèntí.This kind of indifferent attitude is the team's biggest problem.
- 麻木不仁，。Tā de zuǒ tuǐ shòushāng hòu biàn de mā, xūyào mǎshàng zhìliáo.His left leg became numb after the injury and needs immediate treatment.
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