màibà: 麦霸 - Mic Hog, Karaoke Hog

• Keywords: maiba, 麦霸, mic hog, karaoke hog, what does maiba mean, Chinese slang, KTV in China, Chinese karaoke culture, microphone hegemon, Chinese social etiquette
• Summary: Learn about the popular Chinese slang term 麦霸 (màibà), the perfect word for a “mic hog” or “karaoke hog.” This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in China's vibrant KTV scene, and how to use it in conversation. Discover why being called a 麦霸 can be a playful jab between friends or a genuine critique of someone's social etiquette at a karaoke party.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): mài bà
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A person who monopolizes the microphone at a karaoke (KTV) session.
• In a Nutshell: 麦霸 (màibà) literally translates to “microphone hegemon” or “mic tyrant.” It vividly describes someone who gets to a KTV party, grabs the microphone, and refuses to let it go, singing song after song while others wait. It's a highly specific and common slang term born out of China's immense love for karaoke.

• 麦 (mài): This character's original meaning is “wheat.” However, in modern slang, it's a shortening of the loanword 麦克风 (màikèfēng), which means “microphone.” So, in this context, 麦 simply means “mic.”
• 霸 (bà): This character means “hegemon,” “overlord,” or “tyrant.” It implies domination and control, and is famously seen in the term 霸王 (bàwáng), “hegemon-king.”

When combined, 麦霸 (màibà) creates the powerful and humorous image of a “mic tyrant”—someone who ruthlessly dominates the microphone, making it their sole possession.

In China, going to KTV (Karaoke TV) is a cornerstone of social life. It's not just a niche hobby; it's a primary way for friends to bond, families to celebrate, and colleagues to build team spirit. A KTV night is a collective experience built on sharing, participation, and mutual encouragement. The goal is for everyone to have fun together, creating a harmonious and lively atmosphere. A 麦霸 directly disrupts this social harmony. By hogging the microphone, they turn a collective, shared activity into a personal concert. This behavior is seen as selfish and inconsiderate, violating the unspoken rules of KTV etiquette.

• Comparison to Western Culture: The closest Western concept is a “mic hog” or “karaoke hog.” The term and the behavior it describes are almost identical. However, the cultural weight is different. Because KTV is a much more frequent and significant social ritual in China than karaoke is in the West, the “麦霸” is a much more common and recognizable social archetype. Almost everyone in China knows a 麦霸, and the term is used far more frequently than its English equivalent.

麦霸 is an informal slang term used almost exclusively in the context of singing at KTV or similar gatherings.

• Connotation: The connotation is generally negative but is often used in a lighthearted, teasing way among friends. If you call your close friend a 麦霸, you're likely just joking about how much they love to sing. However, if said with a serious or annoyed tone, it's a genuine complaint about their selfish behavior.
• Formality: Highly informal. You would not use this term in a formal report or to describe someone you need to show a high level of respect to, like a high-level boss (unless you have a very casual relationship).

• Example 1:
  • 你别当麦霸了，让别人也唱一首吧！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié dāng màibà le, ràng biérén yě chàng yī shǒu ba!
  • English: Stop being a mic hog and let someone else sing a song!
  • Analysis: A direct and common way to complain, telling someone to stop their 麦霸 behavior. The `吧 (ba)` at the end softens the tone slightly, making it more of a suggestion.
• Example 2:
  • 他一到KTV就变成了麦霸，谁也别想拿到话筒。
  • Pinyin: Tā yī dào KTV jiù biànchéngle màibà, shéi yě biéxiǎng ná dào huàtǒng.
  • English: As soon as he gets to KTV, he turns into a mic hog; nobody can even think of getting the microphone.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a person's typical behavior. The structure `一…就… (yī…jiù…)` means “as soon as… then…”
• Example 3:
  • 今晚我要当一次麦霸，你们都别跟我抢！
  • Pinyin: Jīnwǎn wǒ yào dāng yīcì màibà, nǐmen dōu bié gēn wǒ qiǎng!
  • English: Tonight I'm going to be the mic hog, don't any of you try to snatch it from me!
  • Analysis: A humorous and self-aware way to use the term. The speaker is jokingly announcing their intention to sing a lot.
• Example 4:
  • 她是我们公司公认的麦霸，因为她唱得太好听了。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì wǒmen gōngsī gōngrèn de màibà, yīnwèi tā chàng dé tài hǎotīng le.
  • English: She is the recognized mic hog of our company because she sings so beautifully.
  • Analysis: This shows the nuanced, sometimes positive use of the term. Here, “麦霸” is used as a compliment, implying her singing is so good that everyone is happy to let her dominate the mic.
• Example 5:
  • 我最怕和麦霸一起去唱歌，一晚上都轮不到我。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuì pà hé màibà yīqǐ qù chànggē, yī wǎnshàng dōu lún bù dào wǒ.
  • English: I dread going to sing with a mic hog the most; I don't get a turn the entire night.
  • Analysis: Expresses a strong negative feeling about the experience of being with a 麦霸. `轮不到我 (lún bù dào wǒ)` means “it's never my turn.”
• Example 6:
  • 那个角落里安安静静的男生，没想到居然是个麦霸。
  • Pinyin: Nàge jiǎoluò lǐ ān ānjìng jìng de nánshēng, méi xiǎngdào jūrán shìge màibà.
  • English: That quiet guy in the corner, I can't believe he's actually a mic hog.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses surprise. `居然 (jūrán)` is used to indicate something unexpected or contrary to assumptions.
• Example 7:
  • 别看他平时不爱说话，他可是个隐藏的麦霸。
  • Pinyin: Bié kàn tā píngshí bù ài shuōhuà, tā kěshì ge yǐncáng de màibà.
  • English: Don't be fooled by how he's usually quiet; he's a hidden mic hog.
  • Analysis: `隐藏的 (yǐncáng de)` means “hidden” or “closet,” describing a personality trait that isn't immediately obvious.
• Example 8:
  • 当麦霸很没意思，大家一起唱才好玩。
  • Pinyin: Dāng màibà hěn méi yìsi, dàjiā yīqǐ chàng cái hǎowán.
  • English: Being a mic hog is no fun; it's only fun when everyone sings together.
  • Analysis: This sentence states an opinion about KTV etiquette, emphasizing the importance of group participation.
• Example 9:
  • 你唱了快十首歌了，真是个不折不扣的麦霸！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ chàngle kuài shí shǒu gē le, zhēnshì ge bùzhé Bùkòu de màibà!
  • English: You've sung almost ten songs, you're truly a mic hog through and through!
  • Analysis: The chengyu `不折不扣 (bùzhé bùkòu)` means “100%,” “out-and-out,” or “through and through,” adding strong emphasis.
• Example 10:
  • 为了不当麦霸，我每次只点一首歌。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bù dāng màibà, wǒ měi cì zhǐ diǎn yī shǒu gē.
  • English: In order to not be a mic hog, I only select one song each time.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows self-regulation and consideration for others, the opposite behavior of a 麦霸.

• Mistake 1: Using it outside of a singing/mic context.
  • A common mistake for learners is to think 麦霸 can describe anyone who dominates a conversation. This is incorrect. The term is tied specifically to the 麦 (mài), the microphone.
  • Incorrect Usage: 我的老板在会议上是个麦霸，一直说个不停。(My boss is a mic hog in meetings, he never stops talking.)
  • Reason: While the meaning is understandable, native speakers would not use 麦霸 here. The correct term for a “chatterbox” or someone who dominates a conversation is 话痨 (huàláo).
• Mistake 2: Misinterpreting the tone.
  • Learners might take a playful jab—“你真是个麦霸!”—as a serious insult. It's crucial to pay attention to the context, tone of voice, and your relationship with the speaker. Among close friends, it's almost always a joke.
• Nuance: The “Talented” 麦霸
  • As seen in Example #4, the term isn't always 100% negative. If someone is an exceptionally good singer (like a 歌神 (gēshén), or “God of Singing”), people might happily let them be the 麦霸 because their singing is a pleasure to listen to. In this case, calling them a 麦霸 is a form of praise, acknowledging their superior skill.

• KTV - An abbreviation for Karaoke TV, the establishment where a 麦霸 is most often found.
• 话筒 (huàtǒng) - The formal word for “microphone.” A 麦霸's most prized possession.
• 抢麦 (qiǎng mài) - “To snatch the mic.” The primary verb/action associated with a 麦霸.
• 唱歌 (chànggē) - “To sing.” The activity itself.
• 歌神 (gēshén) - “God of Singing.” A term of high praise for an amazing singer. A 歌神 might also be a 麦霸, but a welcome one.
• 五音不全 (wǔ yīn bù quán) - Literally “five tones are not complete.” A chengyu meaning “tone-deaf.” A tone-deaf 麦霸 is the ultimate KTV nightmare.
• 话痨 (huàláo) - A “chatterbox.” This is the conversational equivalent of a 麦霸. It's important to use this term for someone who talks too much, not 麦霸.
• 霸占 (bàzhàn) - “To occupy by force, to seize.” A more formal verb that describes the dominating action of a 麦霸.
• 点歌 (diǎn gē) - “To choose/select a song.” The process of queuing up songs at KTV. A 麦霸 will 点歌 many times in a row.