Meanings of 烦恼
By ear
Play it, then pick what 烦恼 means.
About 烦恼
Podcast: 烦恼
Podcast: 烦恼
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 烦恼
忧虑 (yōulǜ) vs 担忧 (dānyōu) — use 烦恼 for more personal, emotional distress, while 忧虑 and 担忧 can imply a broader or more general concern.
When using 烦恼, it's important to note that it conveys a sense of ongoing distress, rather than just a fleeting worry. Common collocations include '烦恼的事情' (troublesome things) and '减轻烦恼' (reduce worries). Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
As an HSK Level 4 word, 烦恼 connects to other emotions and mental states, such as 快乐 (kuài lè, happy) and 难过 (nán guò, sad). Students should focus on using it in context to describe personal feelings or situations that cause distress.
Learners often confuse 烦恼 with the word 担心 (dān xīn, to worry) which is more about immediate concerns. For example, saying '我很担心事情' (Wǒ hěn dān xīn shìqíng) is incorrect when discussing ongoing emotional distress; use 烦恼 instead.
Pronunciation of 烦恼
Drill the tone of 烦恼 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 烦恼 to You
Let me explain 烦恼 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 烦恼 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 烦恼?
Learning Lab
Knowing 烦恼 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say to be worried in Chinese
“to be worried” in Chinese is烦恼
烦恼 (fán nǎo) refers to a state of worry or distress. It is commonly used to express feelings of anxiety about personal issues, work, or relationships, reflecting a mental burden or emotional turmoil.
When to use 烦恼
When using 烦恼, it's important to note that it conveys a sense of ongoing distress, rather than just a fleeting worry. Common collocations include '烦恼的事情' (troublesome things) and '减轻烦恼' (reduce worries). Be careful with the tones, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.
烦恼 or something close to it
忧虑 (yōulǜ) vs 担忧 (dānyōu) — use 烦恼 for more personal, emotional distress, while 忧虑 and 担忧 can imply a broader or more general concern.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 烦恼 with the word 担心 (dān xīn, to worry) which is more about immediate concerns. For example, saying '我很担心事情' (Wǒ hěn dān xīn shìqíng) is incorrect when discussing ongoing emotional distress; use 烦恼 instead.
Write 烦恼
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 烦恼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 烦恼
烦恼 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 3 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
男孩子们对我不感兴趣令我很____。
It bothered me that boys weren't interested in me.
Example Sentences for 烦恼 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 烦恼?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 烦恼
You can say '我最近很烦恼' (Wǒ zuìjìn hěn fánnǎo), which means 'I've been very worried lately.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 烦恼?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.