Chinese word

麻烦

Pronunciation

Pinyinmá fán

Meaning

  • nountrouble

Example

不好意思，给你添麻烦了。bù hǎo yì si gěi nǐ tiān má fán le

Sorry, I've caused you trouble.

Illustration for 麻烦 (trouble)

More examples

遇到麻烦时，要及时求助。yù dào má fán shí yào jí shí qiú zhù

When you run into trouble, ask for help right away.

Core concept

Something that puts extra work between a person and an easy outcome, or the act of placing that burden on someone else.

Common phrases

  • 给你添麻烦gěi nǐ tiān má fán

    cause you trouble

  • 遇到麻烦yù dào má fán

    run into trouble

  • 解决麻烦jiě jué má fán

    solve a problem

Similar words

问题wèn tí: A matter or question that needs an answer, explanation, or solution.
困难kùn nán: A matter that is hard to achieve or solve and requires extra effort or help.
烦恼fán nǎo: A troubled state of mind caused by worry or unease.

Definition in Chinese

指使他人付出时间、精力或造成不便的事或行为。zhí shǐ tā rén fù chū shí jiān jīng lì huò zào chéng bú biàn de shì huò xíng wéi

Word origin

麻烦 (máfán, "trouble") combines 麻 (má, "numb or uncomfortable") + 烦 (fán, "bothered or vexed"), a compact pairing that developed into a word for an unwelcome difficulty or imposition.

Usage tips

  • In polite conversation, this word can soften a request by acknowledging the other person's time and effort, whereas English often expresses the same courtesy through a longer polite frame.

Other meanings

  • askverb
  • troublesomeadjective
  • botherverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 麻烦事má fán shìtroublesome matternoun
  • 麻烦鬼má fán guǐtroublemakernoun

Word lists with this word