麻木 mámù numb
numb; insensitive; apathetic
How to remember 麻木: 麻 hemp + 木 tree = numb.
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How it is used
- Numb - physically and emotionally - 手冻得麻木了 (shǒu dòng de mámù le) hands numb with cold; 麻木不仁 (mámù bùrén) apathetic and unfeeling.
- Literal loss of sensation, and the figurative 'emotionally deadened/indifferent'.
- 麻木不仁 is the common set phrase for callous indifference.