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音乐白痴
yīnyuè bái chī
tone-deaf
他完全是个音乐白痴，连五线谱都认不全。
He's completely tone-deaf; he can't even recognize the entire staff.
informal
A person with little or no ability to perceive or produce musical tones accurately.
虽然她很努力，但大家都说她是个音乐白痴。
Despite her efforts, everyone says she's tone-deaf.
音乐白痴也能学会弹钢琴吗？
Can a tone-deaf person learn to play the piano?
Often used humorously or colloquially to describe someone who struggles with music, especially pitch or rhythm.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, musical ability is often associated with intelligence or refinement. Calling someone a '音乐白痴' lightly acknowledges their struggle with music without implying broader intellectual shortcomings.
Gold Rule
Usage in Conversation
Use '音乐白痴' only in informal or friendly contexts. It is not appropriate for professional or serious discussions about someone's abilities.
Word Origin
The term combines '音乐' (yīnyuè, 'music') and '白痴' (bái chī, 'idiot' or 'fool'). It emerged in modern Chinese as a colloquial expression to describe someone with poor musical ability, particularly in pitch recognition.
Usage Notes
While '白痴' (bái chī) literally means 'idiot,' the phrase '音乐白痴' is not meant to be taken literally as an insult. It is often used playfully among friends or in lighthearted contexts. Avoid using it in formal or serious settings.
Word Breakdown
音乐
music
root白痴
idiot or fool
root汉英词典