verb HSK 2
Traditional 幫忙
to help · to do a favor · to lend a hand
Meaning
帮忙 is one of the most common ways to express 'to help' in everyday Mandarin. It emphasizes practical assistance with tasks or actions, often involving physical help or doing someone a favor. The word combines 帮 (to help) with 忙 (busy), literally suggesting 'helping with busyness.'
Usage
帮忙 is informal and versatile, used in daily conversation when asking for or offering help. It's often followed by specific tasks or used alone. Common patterns include 帮我个忙 (do me a favor) and 帮忙 + verb (help with doing something). It's slightly more casual than 帮助, which is more formal.
Examples
- 01你能帮我个忙吗？?Can you do me a favor?
- 02他经常帮忙做家务。.He often helps with housework.
Characters
Common collocations
- 帮忙做help do (something)
- 帮个忙do a favor
- 帮我忙help me out
- 来帮忙come help
Antonyms
Origin
The combination literally means 'to help with being busy,' reflecting the practical nature of assistance in Chinese culture—helping someone manage their busyness or workload.