烦恼

fán nǎo

to be worried

HSK 4

Character Breakdown

Understanding '烦恼'

The word '烦恼' (fán nǎo) primarily means to be worried or troubled by something. It often describes emotional or mental distress caused by problems or concerns in daily life.

Usage in Conversation

People use '烦恼' to express personal worries, such as about exams, work, or relationships. It can describe both temporary feelings and ongoing mental burdens.

Common Collocations

  • '烦恼' (feel worried): used to express experiencing worry.
  • '烦恼事情' (troublesome matters): refers to problems causing distress.
  • '烦恼' (don’t worry): a common phrase to comfort someone.

Nuances and Tips

'烦恼' often implies a mental or emotional struggle rather than physical problems. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid confusing it with '生气' (angry), which is more about anger than worry.

Summary

Use '烦恼' when talking about worries or troubles that affect someone's mood or peace of mind. It is a versatile word useful in everyday conversations about stress and concerns.

Example Sentences

她因为考试成绩感到很烦恼。

Tā yīnwèi kǎoshì chéngjì gǎndào hěn fánnǎo.

She feels very worried about her exam results.

别为小事烦恼,保持心情轻松。

Bié wèi xiǎoshì fánnǎo, bǎochí xīnqíng qīngsōng.

Don't worry about small things; keep a relaxed mood.

工作上的烦恼让他晚上难以入睡。

Gōngzuò shàng de fánnǎo ràng tā wǎnshàng nányǐ rùshuì.

Worries about work make it hard for him to sleep at night.