麻烦
Trouble or bother; also used as a verb to trouble someone or as an adjective meaning troublesome. A core word for polite requests in Chinese.
Examples
3 of 5真不好意思,还要麻烦你跑一趟。
I'm so sorry to trouble you to make a trip.
如果这不会给您带来太大麻烦,请帮我签个字。
If it won't cause you too much trouble, please sign this for me.
这事儿真麻烦!
This is so troublesome!
Word Family
Memory Tip
麻 (hemp) + 烦 (annoyed) = Like tangled hemp fibers that make you feel annoyed.
Quick Quiz
真的很抱歉,给您的工作带来了____。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 麻烦
Examples
真不好意思,还要麻烦你跑一趟。
everydayI'm so sorry to trouble you to make a trip.
如果这不会给您带来太大麻烦,请帮我签个字。
formalIf it won't cause you too much trouble, please sign this for me.
这事儿真麻烦!
informalThis is so troublesome!
繁琐的程序给申请者带来了不少麻烦。
academicTedious procedures have caused quite a lot of trouble for applicants.
麻烦您把这份报告打印出来。
businessCould I trouble you to print out this report?
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
不嫌麻烦
not minding the trouble
少找麻烦
avoid causing trouble
省麻烦
save trouble
Often Confused With
打扰 (dǎrǎo) is specifically 'to disturb/interrupt', while 麻烦 is more general about causing extra work or difficulty.
Usage Notes
Frequently used as a polite 'prefix' for requests: '麻烦您...' (Could I trouble you to...).
Common Mistakes
In English, 'trouble' is rarely used as a verb in this polite way, so learners might forget to use it as a polite marker in Chinese.
Memory Tip
麻 (hemp) + 烦 (annoyed) = Like tangled hemp fibers that make you feel annoyed.
Word Origin
From '麻' (hemp/tangled) and '烦' (irritated).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Politeness in China often involves acknowledging the trouble you are causing others, even for small favors.
Quick Quiz
真的很抱歉,给您的工作带来了____。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 麻烦
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More social words
支持
B1To give assistance to or agree with a person or idea. In academics, it refers to providing evidence for an argument.
关注
B1To pay close attention to something or someone. In a digital context, it also means to 'follow' an account or page.
沟通
B1The activity of conveying information through exchange of thoughts, messages, or information. It can be verbal or non-verbal.
状况
B1The state or condition of something or someone at a specific time. Often used in IELTS when discussing health, economy, or social issues.
倡导
B1To advocate or initiate a cause, policy, or lifestyle; to publicly recommend or support something.
城镇化
B1The process of making an area more urban, involving the migration of people from rural areas to cities and the physical expansion of urban areas.
干预
B1To involve oneself in a situation to alter its course or outcome, often used in policy, economics, or medical contexts.
伦理
B1Moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity; ethics.
遗产
B1Property, culture, or traditions passed down from predecessors; heritage or inheritance.
福利
B1The health, happiness, and fortunes of a person or group; also refers to financial support or perks provided by the state or an employer.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free