Chinese word

帮个忙

Pronunciation

Pinyinbāng gè máng

Meaning

  • verbdo me a favor

Example

你能帮个忙吗？nǐ néng bāng gè máng ma

Can you do me a favor?

Illustration for 帮个忙 (do me a favor)

More examples

遇到困难时，总有人来帮个忙。yù dào kùn nán shí zǒng yǒu rén lái bāng gè máng

When people run into difficulties, someone always comes to help.

Core concept

A request that treats assistance as one manageable favor rather than a large obligation.

Common phrases

  • 请你帮个忙qǐng nǐ bāng gè máng

    Please do me a favor

  • 能不能帮个忙néng bù néng bāng gè máng

    can you do me a favor

Similar words

帮忙bāng máng: Asking someone to help with a task in everyday speech.
帮bāng: Giving someone a hand in familiar everyday speech.
帮助bāng zhù: Providing assistance in a somewhat formal way.
帮一把bāng yì bǎ: Asking someone for a little help in casual spoken language.

Definition in Chinese

表示向他人求助的一种口语表达，含义为请别人帮一件事，语气通常较为随便或委婉。biǎo shì xiàng tā rén qiú zhù de yì zhǒng kóu yǔ biǎo dá hán yì wèi qǐng bié rén bāng yí jiàn shì yǔ qì tōng cháng jiào wéi suí biàn huò wéi wǎn

Word origin

帮 (bāng, "help") + 个 (gè, "one") + 忙 (máng, "favor") literally frames the requested assistance as a single favor, giving the expression its familiar spoken use.

Usage tips

  • The phrase often points to a concrete task, whereas English speakers may also use its closest translation as a general lead-in to a request.

Other meanings

  • helpverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word