bēnbō: 奔波 - To Rush About, To Be Busy Running Around
Quick Summary
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Summary: Learn the Chinese word 奔波 (bēnbō), which means to be constantly on the move or to rush about, typically for work, livelihood, or responsibilities. More than just being “busy” (忙), bēnbō captures the physical exhaustion and toil of running from place to place. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and provides practical examples for how to use it in modern Chinese conversation.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): bēnbō
Part of Speech: Verb
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To rush about; to be constantly on the move, often with a sense of toil or exhaustion.
In a Nutshell: Imagine a life where you are constantly traveling for work, juggling multiple locations, or running endless errands for your family. That feeling of being physically worn out from constant movement is the core of 奔波 (bēnbō). It’s not about having a full calendar; it’s about the physical act of hustling and the weariness that comes with it. It often implies a sacrifice for a greater purpose, like providing for one's family or achieving a goal.
Character Breakdown
奔 (bēn): This character is a pictogram of a person running. It means “to run,” “to rush,” or “to flee.”
波 (bō): This character means “wave.” It's composed of the water radical (氵) on the left and a phonetic component on the right.
The two characters combine to create a powerful image: “running like a wave.” This suggests a relentless, non-stop motion, like being tossed about in the sea. It vividly portrays a life of constant movement and instability, capturing the feeling of being hurried and exhausted.
Cultural Context and Significance
The Virtue of Toil: In Chinese culture, enduring hardship (吃苦 - chīkǔ) for the sake of one's family or future is a deeply respected value. 奔波 is the verb that often describes this action. When someone says they are 为生活奔波 (wèi shēnghuó bēnbō), “rushing about for a living,” it evokes a sense of noble sacrifice and resilience, not complaint. It reflects the immense pressure many feel to succeed and provide, especially in a rapidly developing society.
Comparison to “Being Busy”: In Western, particularly American culture, saying “I'm so busy” can sometimes be a humblebrag—a way to signal importance or demand. 奔波, on the other hand, rarely has this glamorous connotation. It is almost always associated with the physical and mental toll of the work. It's less about a packed schedule and more about the grind, the miles traveled, and the energy spent. It’s the difference between a CEO who is “busy” with back-to-back meetings in one office, and a migrant worker who is 奔波 between cities to find work.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Describing Work Life: This is the most common usage. It's often used to talk about jobs that require a lot of travel or moving between different sites, such as sales, journalism, or logistics.
He's always on the go for his job.
他为了工作常年在外奔波。
Expressing Gratitude or Empathy: You can use it to acknowledge someone else's hard work and effort, especially if it involved a lot of running around for you.
Thank you for all the trouble you went to for this. (Literally: You rushed about for this matter, you've worked hard.)
你为这件事奔波辛苦了。
Connotation: The connotation is generally neutral to slightly negative, as it emphasizes fatigue and hardship. You would not use it to describe a fun, busy vacation. It’s a term of reality and struggle, not leisure. It's also slightly more formal and literary than just saying you are 忙 (máng).
English: My father rushes about away from home all year round to support the family.
Analysis: This is a classic example that connects 奔波 with family responsibility and sacrifice. It evokes a strong sense of respect for the father's hard work.
Example 2:
他一生都在为自己的理想而奔波。
Pinyin: Tā yīshēng dōu zài wèi zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng ér bēnbō.
English: He has spent his whole life striving and rushing about for his ideals.
Analysis: Here, 奔波 takes on a more noble tone. The hardship is framed as a necessary part of pursuing a dream or a higher cause.
English: Many young people choose to leave their hometowns to hustle and struggle in the big cities.
Analysis: This sentence captures the modern phenomenon of migrant workers and young professionals in China, whose lives are characterized by constant work and movement.
Example 7:
他不想再过这种四处奔波的生活了，他想安定下来。
Pinyin: Tā bùxiǎng zàiguò zhè zhǒng sìchù bēnbō de shēnghuó le, tā xiǎng āndìng xiàlái.
English: He no longer wants to live this kind of life, rushing about everywhere; he wants to settle down.
Analysis: This highlights the contrast between a life of 奔波 and a stable, settled (安定) life, which is a common aspiration.
Example 8:
谢谢你为我的事奔波，真是太麻烦你了。
Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ wèi wǒ de shì bēnbō, zhēnshi tài máfan nǐ le.
English: Thank you for running around to take care of my matter, I've really troubled you.
Analysis: A polite and common way to express deep gratitude, acknowledging the physical effort someone has made on your behalf.
English: When will these days of toiling and rushing about ever end?
Analysis: This uses the common four-character phrase 奔波劳碌 (bēnbō láolù), which strongly emphasizes the toil and exhaustion. It's a rhetorical question expressing weariness.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`奔波 (bēnbō)` vs. `忙 (máng)` - The Key Difference:
忙 (máng) simply means “busy.” You can be very 忙 sitting at your desk all day answering emails. It refers to having many tasks.
奔波 (bēnbō) specifically implies physical movement and travel. You cannot be 奔波 while sitting in one place. It refers to the hardship of being on the move.
Incorrect: 我昨晚写作业很奔波。 (Wǒ zuówǎn xiě zuòyè hěn bēnbō.) - I was very bēnbō with my homework last night.
Reason: Doing homework does not involve rushing from place to place. The correct word would be 忙 (máng).
`奔波 (bēnbō)` vs. `旅行 (lǚxíng)`:
旅行 (lǚxíng) is “to travel” for pleasure or leisure. It has a positive connotation.
奔波 (bēnbō) is “to rush about” for an obligation, like work or a family emergency. It has a tiring, negative connotation. You would never describe your vacation as 奔波.
Related Terms and Concepts
忙碌 (mánglù) - A more formal or written term for “busy.” It's a close synonym for `忙 (máng)` but doesn't imply physical travel like `奔波`.
劳累 (láolèi) - Fatigued, tired, overworked. This is often the direct result of `奔波`.
辛苦 (xīnkǔ) - Hard, toilsome, arduous. This describes the feeling associated with `奔波`. You often hear people say “奔波很辛苦”.
奔走 (bēnzǒu) - A close synonym meaning “to run around,” often used when trying to achieve a goal, spread information, or appeal for help.
漂泊 (piāobó) - To drift, to lead a wandering life. This describes a state of rootlessness that a life of constant `奔波` can lead to.
出差 (chūchāi) - To be on a business trip. This is a very common reason for someone to `奔波`.
吃苦耐劳 (chī kǔ nài láo) - An idiom meaning “to bear hardships and stand hard work.” This is the cultural value that frames `奔波` as a necessary, even virtuous, struggle.
奔波劳碌 (bēnbō láolù) - A common four-character phrase that emphasizes the exhausting and toilsome nature of rushing about.