麻烦 máfan trouble (someone)
trouble (someone); troubling; bothersome
How to remember 麻烦: 麻 hemp + 烦 to bother = trouble (someone).
Characters
How it is used
- Very versatile: adjective 'troublesome/a hassle' - 这件事很麻烦 (zhè jiàn shì hěn máfan) this is a real hassle; noun 'trouble' - 给你添麻烦了 (gěi nǐ tiān máfan le) sorry to have bothered you.
- As a verb it's a polite way to ask a favor: 麻烦你帮我看一下 (máfan nǐ bāng wǒ kàn yíxià) could I trouble you to take a look?
- Second syllable is neutral tone (máfan). Softer and more everyday than 打扰 (dǎrǎo, to disturb), which is more formal/apologetic.
Example sentences
- 他有麻烦。 Tā yǒu máfán.He is in trouble.
- 这件事有点麻烦。 Zhè jiàn shì yǒudiǎn máfan.This is a little troublesome.
- 出国旅行护照丢了会很麻烦。 Chūguó lǚxíng hùzhào diūle huì hěn máfan.It can be very troublesome if you lose your passport when traveling overseas.