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音乐白痴

yīnyuè bái chī
noun★Intermediate💡 tone-deaf
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.

Collocations

音乐白痴tone-deaf person当个音乐白痴to be tone-deaf

Synonyms

音盲五音不全

Antonyms

音乐天才音感强

Related Phrases

五音不全phrase
lacking basic musical sense (literally 'incomplete five tones')

💡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

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