麻烦
To trouble/bother
Literally: Hemp-knot Disturbance
Use `麻烦你` to turn a command into a polite request that people actually want to help with.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to politely ask for favors or help.
- Describes annoying, complex, or time-consuming situations.
- A key social lubricant for showing respect and humility.
- Can be a verb, adjective, or a general exclamation.
Meaning
It is a versatile word used to ask for a favor politely or to complain that something is a total headache. Think of it as 'sorry to bother you' and 'what a pain' rolled into one.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a restaurant
麻烦给我一杯水。
Could I trouble you for a glass of water?
Asking a colleague for help
麻烦你帮我看看这个报告。
Sorry to bother you, but could you look at this report?
Complaining about a long process
办签证真的太麻烦了！
Getting a visa is seriously such a pain!
Cultural Background
The term originates from the image of tangled hemp (麻) which is notoriously difficult to straighten out. In Chinese social 'mianzi' (face) culture, acknowledging that you are causing 'trouble' is a vital strategy for maintaining harmony and showing humility.
The 'Double Mafan' trick
If someone helps you, say '太麻烦你了' (tài máfan nǐ le) as a way of saying thank you. It acknowledges their effort more than a simple 'thanks'.
Don't call people 'Mafan'
Calling a person `麻烦` directly can be quite offensive. Use it for situations or tasks unless you're joking with a very close friend.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to politely ask for favors or help.
- Describes annoying, complex, or time-consuming situations.
- A key social lubricant for showing respect and humility.
- Can be a verb, adjective, or a general exclamation.
What It Means
麻烦 (máfan) is the Swiss Army knife of Chinese social interaction. It functions as a verb, an adjective, and even a noun. At its core, it describes something that isn't smooth or easy. It is the feeling of tangled hemp fibers that are hard to unravel. You use it when you need help or when life gets complicated.
How To Use It
As a verb, put it before a person: 麻烦你 (trouble you). This is your go-to for making requests. As an adjective, use it to describe tasks: 这件事很麻烦 (this matter is very troublesome). You can even use it to describe a person who is high-maintenance. Just don't say it to their face unless you want drama!
When To Use It
Use it at a restaurant to ask for the bill or extra napkins. Use it at work when asking a colleague for a file. It is perfect for texting when you know you are being a bit of a burden. It softens the blow of a request. It makes you sound considerate and aware of others' time.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for massive, life-altering favors. If someone saves your life, 麻烦 is too weak. Also, avoid using it as an adjective to describe your boss or elders. Calling an elder 麻烦 is a one-way ticket to being labeled 'rude.' Stick to describing situations or objects in those cases.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture places a huge emphasis on 'not bothering others.' By saying 麻烦你, you are acknowledging that you are taking their energy. It is a form of 'polite debt.' It shows you have high emotional intelligence. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a small, respectful bow before asking for a favor.
Common Variations
If something is extremely annoying, add 太 (tài) or 真 (zhēn). 太麻烦了! is the universal sigh of someone dealing with bureaucracy. In the south, you might hear people repeat it for emphasis. You can also say 不麻烦 (no trouble) to be a gracious host when someone thanks you.
Usage Notes
It functions as both a polite request starter and a descriptor for annoying situations. It's safe for almost all social levels but requires 'nin' for high formality.
The 'Double Mafan' trick
If someone helps you, say '太麻烦你了' (tài máfan nǐ le) as a way of saying thank you. It acknowledges their effort more than a simple 'thanks'.
Don't call people 'Mafan'
Calling a person `麻烦` directly can be quite offensive. Use it for situations or tasks unless you're joking with a very close friend.
The 'No Trouble' response
When someone says `麻烦你` to you, the polite response is `不麻烦` (bù máfan), meaning 'it's no trouble at all!'
Examples
6麻烦给我一杯水。
Could I trouble you for a glass of water?
A very common and polite way to order or ask for items.
麻烦你帮我看看这个报告。
Sorry to bother you, but could you look at this report?
Softens the request in a professional setting.
办签证真的太麻烦了！
Getting a visa is seriously such a pain!
Used here as an adjective to describe a frustrating process.
又来麻烦你了，能借我笔吗？
Bothering you again, but can I borrow a pen?
Shows you are aware you are asking for help frequently.
你这个人真麻烦！
You are such a handful!
Playful teasing among close friends.
不用了，太麻烦你了。
No thanks, it's too much trouble for you.
A polite way to say 'no' by centering the other person's effort.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to ask a waiter for the check.
___，买单。
`麻烦你` (máfan nǐ) is the standard polite way to get someone's attention for a service request.
How do you describe a task that has too many steps?
这个工作很___。
`麻烦` (máfan) describes things that are complicated or annoying to complete.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Mafan'
Complaining to friends about chores.
真麻烦！
Asking for help in a shop or office.
麻烦你帮个忙。
Politely declining a big favor.
太麻烦您了，不敢当。
Where to use 'Mafan'
Restaurant
Ordering extra sauce
Office
Asking for a deadline extension
Street
Asking for directions
Home
Fixing a broken Wi-Fi router
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! While it can mean 'troublesome,' it's most often used as a polite social lubricant like 麻烦你 (could I trouble you).
Yes, it's very appropriate. Use 麻烦您 (máfan nín) to be extra respectful when asking for something.
You can say 太麻烦了 (tài máfan le) or 真麻烦 (zhēn máfan) when dealing with a difficult task.
请 (qǐng) is 'please,' but 麻烦你 is more like 'could I bother you.' 麻烦 feels warmer and more acknowledging of the other person's effort.
Yes, but be careful. 他很麻烦 means 'he is a lot of trouble' or 'he is picky.' Use it only with close friends.
It's more common in spoken Chinese or emails. In very formal documents, other words for 'inconvenience' might be used.
In some northern dialects, people might use 费事 (fèishì) to mean something is a hassle, but 麻烦 is understood everywhere.
The most common response is 不麻烦 (bù máfan) or 没事 (méishì), which both mean 'no problem/it's nothing.'
Yes. You can say 找麻烦 (zhǎo máfan), which means 'to look for trouble' or 'to pick a fight.'
Yes, a sharp 真麻烦！ can express frustration when something goes wrong, like your computer crashing.
Related Phrases
费事
To go to a lot of trouble/hassle
帮个忙
To do a favor
别客气
Don't be so polite (often said after 'mafan')
找麻烦
To look for trouble / to stir up a conflict
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