麻辣
má là
hot and numbing
numbing (麻) + spicy-hot (辣) = the classic Sichuan one-two punch
麻 captures the prickling, numbing sensation of Sichuan pepper — like hemp fibers against the skin. 辛 carries the sharp, biting pain of heat; 束 mainly gives the sound là, while the spicy sting comes from 辛.
这道菜很麻辣，我吃得满头大汗。
zhè dào cài hěn má là, wǒ chī de mǎn tóu dà hàn.
This dish is very hot and numbing; I ate until I was sweating all over.
她不太能吃麻辣的食物，肠胃受不了。
tā bù tài néng chī má là de shí wù, cháng wèi shòu bù liǎo.
She can't really handle hot and numbing food; her stomach can't take it.