Ma Hu describes a careless or negligent attitude, often leading to mistakes.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes someone not careful or serious.
- Used for actions, attitudes, or ways of doing things.
- Common in everyday work, study, and life.
Overview
“马虎”是一个形容词，用来形容一个人在做事时不够认真、细致，态度随意，容易犯错。它强调的是一种不严谨、不负责任的工作或学习态度。这个词在日常生活中非常常用，几乎适用于所有需要认真对待的场合。
“马虎”通常用来形容人的行为、态度或者做事的方式。它可以直接放在名词前面作定语，也可以用“很”、“非常”、“有点”等副词来修饰，或者用在句末作谓语。例如：“他的工作态度很马虎。”、“你能不能不要这么马虎？”、“马虎不得！”
这个词常用于评价工作、学习、生活中的表现。比如，老师可能会批评学生“学习太马虎”，父母可能会提醒孩子“吃饭不要马虎”，或者在检查工作时指出“这个环节不能马虎”。它也可能用来形容一些粗心大意造成的后果，如“马虎的字迹”、“马虎的设计”。
“马虎”与“粗心”意思相近，都表示不细致。但“粗心”更侧重于由于注意力不集中而导致的遗漏或错误，而“马虎”则更强调一种不认真的态度和随意性。“敷衍”则表示做事不认真，只是勉强应付，带有更强的消极意味。“草率”则指做事不慎重，仓促行事，容易导致不良后果。
Examples
他做事总是很马虎，所以经常出错。
everydayHe is always careless in his work, so he often makes mistakes.
这份报告的细节不能马虎，必须仔细检查。
formalThe details of this report cannot be handled carelessly; they must be checked meticulously.
你能不能别这么马虎？这点小事都做不好！
informalCan you stop being so careless? You can't even do this small thing right!
科学研究来不得半点马虎。
academicScientific research cannot tolerate even the slightest carelessness.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
做事马虎不得
One cannot be careless in doing things.
马马虎虎
so-so; careless (often used to describe a state or quality that is not perfect but acceptable)
别马虎
Don't be careless.
Often Confused With
While both mean not careful, '粗心' (cūxīn) focuses more on lapses in attention leading to omissions or errors, whereas '马虎' (mǎhu) implies a more general attitude of casualness and lack of seriousness.
'敷衍' (fūyǎn) suggests doing something merely to get by, without genuine effort or care, often implying a superficial or perfunctory approach. '马虎' is about being generally careless rather than intentionally superficial.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This word is very common in everyday spoken and written Chinese. It is generally neutral to slightly negative in tone, depending on the context. It's best used to describe actions or attitudes rather than inherent personality traits, unless used critically. Avoid using it in very formal or highly sensitive situations where extreme precision is required, unless you are pointing out a failure in that precision.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse '马虎' with words like '认真' (serious) or '努力' (diligent). Remember that '马虎' describes a lack of care or seriousness. Also, avoid using it to describe yourself unless you are admitting a fault in a very casual context.
Tips
Focus on Detail
To avoid being 'ma hu', pay close attention to details and double-check your work.
Consequences of Carelessness
Being 'ma hu' can lead to mistakes, wasted time, and damaged reputation.
Importance of Diligence
In Chinese culture, diligence and meticulousness are highly valued qualities, making 'ma hu' a negative trait.
Word Origin
The origin of '马虎' is not definitively known, but one theory suggests it might relate to the way horses (马) sometimes behave unpredictably or are handled without sufficient care, or perhaps from a dialectal term. The character '虎' (tiger) might have been added for phonetic or semantic reasons, possibly to emphasize the wildness or lack of control.
Cultural Context
In many East Asian cultures, including Chinese culture, meticulousness and attention to detail are highly valued in both work and study. Therefore, being described as '马虎' is generally considered undesirable and can imply a lack of professionalism or respect for the task at hand.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone trying to 'ride a horse' (马 mǎ) but doing it 'hastily' (虎 hǔ) without proper training, leading to a messy, careless ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“马虎”更侧重于做事态度不认真、随意，而“粗心”更侧重于注意力不集中导致的遗漏或错误。两者都表示不细致，但侧重点略有不同。
“马虎”可以用在各种需要认真对待的场合，如工作、学习、生活细节等。它通常用于评价表现或提醒人们要认真。
“马虎”通常是贬义词，因为它形容的是一种不认真、不负责任的态度，容易导致不良后果。
要避免“马虎”，需要提高专注度，做事有条理，并且在完成任务后进行仔细检查，确保没有疏漏。
Test Yourself
他做事总是很___，经常忘记带钥匙。
“马虎”形容做事不认真，符合语境。
“马虎”最接近的意思是：
“马虎”形容的是一种不认真、随意的态度。
请用“马虎”造一个描述学习态度的句子。
“马虎”可以直接用来形容学习态度不认真。
Score: /3
Summary
Ma Hu describes a careless or negligent attitude, often leading to mistakes.
- Describes someone not careful or serious.
- Used for actions, attitudes, or ways of doing things.
- Common in everyday work, study, and life.
Focus on Detail
To avoid being 'ma hu', pay close attention to details and double-check your work.
Consequences of Carelessness
Being 'ma hu' can lead to mistakes, wasted time, and damaged reputation.
Importance of Diligence
In Chinese culture, diligence and meticulousness are highly valued qualities, making 'ma hu' a negative trait.
Examples
4 of 4他做事总是很马虎，所以经常出错。
He is always careless in his work, so he often makes mistakes.
这份报告的细节不能马虎，必须仔细检查。
The details of this report cannot be handled carelessly; they must be checked meticulously.
你能不能别这么马虎？这点小事都做不好！
Can you stop being so careless? You can't even do this small thing right!
科学研究来不得半点马虎。
Scientific research cannot tolerate even the slightest carelessness.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
