Chinese Character: 麻
1. Character Basics
Radical: 麻 (má) - Hemp radical (itself is a radical)
Stroke Count: 11 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Má (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Hemp; flax; sesame; numb; tingling; pockmarked; sesame seed
4. Common Words
- 麻木 (má mù) - Numb; insensitive
- 麻烦 (má fan) - Trouble; inconvenience
- 麻将 (má jiàng) - Mahjong (a traditional Chinese game)
- 麻花 (má huā) - Twisted dough stick (a kind of Chinese snack)
5. Grammar & Usage
The character "麻" can be used as a noun referring to hemp or sesame, and as an adjective meaning numb or causing trouble. It is often combined with other characters to form compound words.
6. Cultural Background
Hemp has been an important crop in China for thousands of years, used for making textiles and rope. Sesame is also widely used in Chinese cuisine. Additionally, Mahjong (麻将) is a very popular traditional Chinese game.
7. Example Sentence
中文: 我的手麻了。
Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒu má le.
English: My hand is numb.
8. Memory Tips
The character "麻" looks like strands of hemp or flax plants. The top part represents the plants, and the bottom part represents the fibers. You can also think of it as "many small things" together, like hemp fibers or sesame seeds.