Chinese word

怎么办

Pronunciation

Pinyinzěn me bàn

Meaning

  • verbwhat should I do

Example

我该怎么办？wǒ gāi zěn me bàn

What should I do?

Illustration for 怎么办 (what should I do)

More examples

遇到这种情况，我真的不知道怎么办。yù dào zhè zhǒng qíng kuàng wǒ zhēn de bù zhī dào zěn me bàn

When faced with this kind of situation, I really don't know what to do.

Core concept

A verbal signal that a situation needs an answer or a plan.

Common phrases

  • 不知道怎么办bù zhī dào zěn me bàn

    don't know what to do

  • 该怎么办gāi zěn me bàn

    what should I do

  • 让我怎么办ràng wǒ zěn me bàn

    what do you want me to do

Similar words

怎么做zěn me zuò: Asking for the specific way or steps needed to do something.
问wèn: Asking someone a question to get information or an answer.
帮忙bāng máng: Giving someone help with a task or problem.

Definition in Chinese

用于询问处理方法的动词短语，可独立成句，也常与主语连用表示寻求建议或表示困惑。yòng yú xún wèn chú lǐ fāng fǎ de dòng cí duán yǔ kě dú lì chéng jù yě cháng yǔ zhú yǔ lián yòng biǎo shì xún qiú jiàn yì huò biǎo shì kùn huò

Word origin

怎 (zěn, "how") + 么 (me, "question element") asks about a method, while 办 (bàn, "handle") supplies the idea of managing the matter.

Usage tips

  • The phrase can sound urgent after a sudden problem, but it also fits small everyday difficulties, so tone and context carry much of its force.

Other meanings

  • what nowinterjection

Opposites

  • 有办法yǒu bàn fǎhave a solutionverb

Word lists with this word