打搅

dǎjiǎo

to disturb; to trouble; to bother

HSK 7

Character Breakdown

Usage and Nuances

The verb 打搅 (dǎjiǎo) means to disturb or bother someone, often implying an interruption that is unwelcome or inconvenient. It is commonly used in polite or apologetic contexts when someone needs to interrupt or seek attention.

Common Collocations

These phrases are often used to soften the impact of an interruption or to request privacy.

Register and Tone

打搅 is polite and somewhat formal, suitable for both spoken and written Chinese. It is less casual than 打扰 (dǎrǎo), which also means to disturb but can be used more broadly.

Common Confusion

Don't confuse 打搅 with 打扰. While both mean to disturb, 打搅 often implies a more direct interruption or intrusion, especially in personal or quiet settings. 打扰 can be used more generally, including in service contexts (e.g., disturbing someone at work).

Understanding these subtle differences helps learners choose the right word depending on the social context.

Example Sentences

对不起,打搅你了,我只是想问个问题。

Duìbuqǐ, dǎjiǎo nǐ le, wǒ zhǐshì xiǎng wèn gè wèntí.

Sorry to bother you, I just wanted to ask a question.

请不要打搅我,我正在专心工作。

Qǐng bú yào dǎjiǎo wǒ, wǒ zhèngzài zhuānxīn gōngzuò.

Please don't disturb me, I am concentrating on work.

他不想被打搅,所以关了手机。

Tā bù xiǎng bèi dǎjiǎo, suǒyǐ guān le shǒujī.

He didn't want to be disturbed, so he turned off his phone.