Meanings of 奔波
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About 奔波
Podcast: 奔波
Podcast: 奔波
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AI Study Notes for 奔波
忙碌 (mánglù) - use 奔波 when emphasizing the act of rushing around, while 忙碌 focuses more on being busy without the same sense of movement.
Imagine a person running (奔) alongside waves (波) in the ocean, trying to keep up with the relentless movement of the waves. The sound of 'bēn' can remind you of 'run', while 'bō' sounds like 'waves', emphasizing the constant rush of life.
Be cautious with the tone; both characters are in the first tone, which might lead to confusion with similar sounding words. It's often used in informal contexts when discussing busy schedules, so be careful not to use it in overly formal situations.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 奔波 connects with other terms related to movement and activity. Focus on how it can be used in phrases about daily life or work-related stress, enhancing vocabulary around time management and responsibilities.
In Chinese culture, being busy is often seen as a virtue, reflecting one's dedication to work and family. The term 奔波 encapsulates the hustle that many experience in urban environments, highlighting the societal expectation to be industrious.
Learners often confuse 奔波 with similar words like 忙碌 (mánglù); remember that 奔波 emphasizes movement and activity, while 忙碌 focuses more on busyness itself. For example, saying '我很奔波工作' (Wǒ hěn bēn bō gōngzuò) is incorrect; it should be '我工作很忙碌' (Wǒ gōngzuò hěn mánglù).
Pronunciation of 奔波
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Component Characters
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Practice writing 奔波 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 奔波
奔波 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
Complete the Sentence
乔伊丝从一位大夫____到另一位那里，期盼着有人会认真听她的话。
Joyce traipsed from one doctor to another, praying that someone would listen.
Example Sentences for 奔波 (1)
Cultural Notes for 奔波
In Chinese culture, being busy is often seen as a virtue, reflecting one's dedication to work and family. The term 奔波 encapsulates the hustle that many experience in urban environments, highlighting the societal expectation to be industrious.
Frequently Asked Questions about 奔波
Yes, 奔波 is commonly used in both spoken and written contexts, especially when discussing a busy lifestyle.