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伤脑筋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīnknottyHSK 7, n, rank #19228, Hard
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīntroublesomeHSK 7, n, rank #19228, Hard
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīnbothersomeHSK 7, n, rank #19228, Hard
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīnto be a real headacheHSK 7, unknown, rank #19228, Hard
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīnto find sth a real headacheHSK 7, unknown, rank #19228, Hard
伤脑筋shāngnǎojīnto beat one's brainsHSK 7, unknown, rank #19228, Hard
shāngnǎojīn(shang1nao3jin1) T1
  1. 1knotty
  2. 2troublesome
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
伤脑筋(傷腦筋)shāngnǎojīn(shang1nao3jin1)

伤脑筋 refers to something that is troublesome or bothersome, often causing stress or frustration. It is used to describe situations that require significant mental effort or create a headache, whether literal or metaphorical.

Frequency#19228DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of facing a 'headache' from mental challenges reflects the high value placed on education and problem-solving skills. It often ties into discussions about work stress and academic pressure.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person trying to solve a complicated puzzle, their head literally hurting (伤) from thinking (脑筋) too much. The image of a 'knot' in their brain represents the difficulty, connecting the characters to the idea of a mental struggle.

Meanings of 伤脑筋

shāngnǎojīn(shang1nao3jin1)
1knotty
2troublesome
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 伤脑筋

伤脑筋Simplified
傷腦筋Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#19228Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 伤脑筋

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Podcast: 伤脑筋

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AI Study Notes for 伤脑筋

Quick Contrast

烦恼 (fánnǎo) - use 伤脑筋 for situations that require mental effort, while 烦恼 refers more to emotional distress.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person trying to solve a complicated puzzle, their head literally hurting (伤) from thinking (脑筋) too much. The image of a 'knot' in their brain represents the difficulty, connecting the characters to the idea of a mental struggle.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using this term; it's often informal, so it may not be suitable for formal writing. Common collocations include '伤脑筋的问题' (a troublesome problem) or '伤脑筋的事情' (a bothersome matter). Avoid mixing it with other similar phrases that convey less intensity.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 6 vocabulary word, 伤脑筋 connects with other HSK 6 terms related to problem-solving and mental challenges. Students should focus on context and usage in conversation to convey the appropriate sentiment.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of facing a 'headache' from mental challenges reflects the high value placed on education and problem-solving skills. It often ties into discussions about work stress and academic pressure.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 伤脑筋 in contexts where a milder term would suffice, such as saying '这件事真的很伤脑筋' when something is merely annoying. A better choice in such cases might be '麻烦' (máfan).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 伤脑筋

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Component Characters

shāngto injure
HSK 56 strokes
View full entry
nǎobrain
HSK 310 strokes
View full entry
jīnmuscle
HSK 712 strokes
View full entry

Write 伤脑筋

Practice writing 伤脑筋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 伤脑筋

伤脑筋 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

对我来说,这节课很____.

This has been a painful lesson to me.

Example Sentences for 伤脑筋 (1)

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1
对我来说,这节课很伤脑筋.

duì wǒ lái shuō, , zhè jié kè hěn shāng nǎo.

This has been a painful lesson to me.

Cultural Notes for 伤脑筋

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the idea of facing a 'headache' from mental challenges reflects the high value placed on education and problem-solving skills. It often ties into discussions about work stress and academic pressure.

Frequently Asked Questions about 伤脑筋

It's generally more informal, so it's best reserved for casual conversations or personal reflections.