Japanese symbol for “paralysis”
麻痺
まひ
Romaji: mahi
paralysis; palsy; stupor
In Japanese, paralysis is 麻痺, read まひ (mahi).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n, vi, vs paralysis; palsy; stupor (med)
- n, vi, vs numbness; loss of sensation
- n, vi, vs standstill; state of paralysis; inability to take action
Written forms: 麻痺、痲痺. Readings: まひ、マヒ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “paralysis”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 不随 | ふずい fuzui | paralysis; palsy |
| 中気 | ちゅうき chuuki | palsy; paralysis |
| 中風 | ちゅうふう chuufuu | palsy; paralysis |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 麻薬 | まやく mayaku | narcotic; drug; dope |
| 麻酔 | ますい masui | anaesthesia; anesthesia |
| 大麻 | たいま taima | hemp |
| 麻布 | あさぬの asanuno | hemp cloth; linen |
| 麻雀 | マージャン maajan | mahjong; mah-jongg |
| 痺れる | しびれる shibireru | to become numb; to go to sleep (e.g. a limb) |
| 痺れ | しびれ shibire | numbness; going to sleep (of a limb); pins and needles |
| 小児麻痺 | しょうにまひ shounimahi | poliomyelitis; polio; infantile paralysis |
See also: Chinese symbol for “paralysis”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.
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