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麻

麻·hemp, numb

On-yomi
マ
Kun-yomi
あさ

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

11 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
麻酔ますいanesthesia
麻痺まひparalysis, numbness
麻あさhemp, linen
麻薬まやくnarcotics, illegal drugs

Example sentences

  1. 夏は麻のシャツが涼しい。

    なつはあさのシャツがすずしい。

    Linen shirts are cool in summer.

  2. 全身麻酔で手術を受けた。

    ぜんしんますいでしゅじゅつをうけた。

    I had the operation under general anesthesia.

  3. 事故で交通が麻痺している。

    じこでこうつうがまひしている。

    Traffic is paralyzed because of the accident.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 麻酔 as まざい — it is ますい
  • Reading 麻 alone as ま — as a material it is あさ

Memory aid

Picture it

Two hemp stalks (林) hanging under a lean-to roof (广) — plants drying in a shed, the fiber that also dulls the senses.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 麻 mean?