忙活 mánghuo to be really busy
to be really busy; pressing business
How to remember 忙活: 忙 busy + 活 alive = to be really busy.
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How it is used
- Colloquial for busying oneself with work/chores - 他一早就在厨房忙活 (tā yìzǎo jiù zài chúfáng mánghuo) he's been bustling about in the kitchen since early.
- Spoken, warm, northern flavor; can be a verb (bustle about) or noun (pressing task), lighter than formal 忙碌.
- Note neutral tone 活 (mánghuo); often 忙活半天 (fuss about for ages).