Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== mánglù: 忙碌 - Busy, Bustling, Occupied ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** manglu, 忙碌, meaning of manglu, how to say busy in Chinese, what does manglu mean, Chinese word for busy, busy in Chinese, Chinese hustle culture, Chinese work culture, máng vs mánglù, HSK 5 vocabulary. * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and use of **忙碌 (mánglù)**, the essential Chinese word for "busy" or "bustling." This page breaks down its cultural significance in modern China, compares it to the simpler term 忙 (máng), and provides numerous practical example sentences. Discover how **忙碌 (mánglù)** reflects Chinese work culture and describes a state of being constantly occupied, making it a key vocabulary word for anyone learning about life in China. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** mánglù * **Part of Speech:** Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To be very busy and occupied with various activities, often over a period of time. * **In a Nutshell:** `忙碌` is a more descriptive and slightly more formal way to say "busy" than the common word `忙 (máng)`. It doesn't just mean you have something to do right now; it paints a picture of a life or a period filled with continuous activity, work, and tasks. Think of it as describing a state of being "bustling" or "incessantly occupied." ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **忙 (máng):** This character is a combination of the "heart" radical `心 (xīn)` and `亡 (wáng)`, which means "to perish" or "to be gone." Together, they vividly illustrate the feeling of being so busy that your mind or heart is "gone"—you're too preoccupied to think of anything else. * **碌 (lù):** This character combines the "stone" radical `石 (shí)` with `录 (lù)`. It originally referred to the rumbling of stones or a difficult, rocky path. In this context, it adds a sense of toil, labor, and continuous, burdensome effort. * **Together, 忙碌 (mánglù)** creates a powerful image of being mentally preoccupied (`忙`) with constant physical or mental toil (`碌`). It's a comprehensive term for an intensely busy state. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== In Chinese culture, being `忙碌` is often viewed as a positive sign. It implies that a person is productive, in demand, and contributing to their family, company, or society. The common greeting "你忙吗?" (Nǐ máng ma? - Are you busy?) can function similarly to "How are you?" in English. Responding that you are `忙碌` can be a humble way of saying that your work or life is going well. This can be compared to the "hustle culture" in the West, but with a key difference. While Western hustle culture often emphasizes individual achievement and personal branding, the value of being `忙碌` in China is frequently tied to collective goals and responsibilities—providing for one's family, helping a company succeed, or contributing to national progress. While the West is increasingly discussing the importance of "work-life balance" and the dangers of burnout, being `忙碌` in many Chinese contexts is still a badge of honor, signifying diligence and purpose. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `忙碌` is used to describe a general state or a period of time, rather than a specific, immediate moment of being busy. * **Formality:** It is slightly more formal and literary than `忙 (máng)`. You will find it more often in written Chinese, in more thoughtful conversations about life, or when describing a person's general lifestyle. For a quick, casual question like, "Are you busy right now?" you would always use `忙 (máng)`. * **Connotation:** The connotation is generally neutral to positive. Describing your life as `忙碌` can imply you are leading a full and productive life. However, it can also carry a hint of weariness or stress if the context suggests being overworked. For example, `忙碌而充实` (mánglù ér chōngshí) means "busy but fulfilling," which is very positive. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 为了家庭，他每天的生活都非常**忙碌**。 * Pinyin: Wèile jiātíng, tā měitiān de shēnghuó dōu fēicháng **mánglù**. * English: For the sake of his family, his daily life is extremely busy. * Analysis: This sentence describes a general state of being over a long period (daily life). `忙碌` is the perfect word here to convey continuous effort. * **Example 2:** * 这是一个**忙碌**的城市，每个人似乎都在奔波。 * Pinyin: Zhè shì yīgè **mánglù** de chéngshì, měi gèrén sìhū dōu zài bēnbō. * English: This is a bustling city; everyone seems to be rushing about. * Analysis: `忙碌` is used here to describe the character and atmosphere of a place (a city). * **Example 3:** * 考试周期间，学生们都进入了**忙碌**的复习阶段。 * Pinyin: Kǎoshì zhōu qíjiān, xuéshēngmen dōu jìnrùle **mánglù** de fùxí jiēduàn. * English: During exam week, the students all entered a busy period of revision. * Analysis: This highlights a specific, but not brief, period of time (`考试周` - exam week) characterized by intense activity. * **Example 4:** * 尽管工作很**忙碌**，他还是坚持每周去健身房。 * Pinyin: Jǐnguǎn gōngzuò hěn **mánglù**, tā háishì jiānchí měi zhōu qù jiànshēnfáng. * English: Although his work is very demanding, he still insists on going to the gym every week. * Analysis: Here, `忙碌` describes the nature of his work in general. * **Example 5:** * 奶奶为我们准备了一顿丰盛的晚餐，在厨房里**忙碌**了一下午。 * Pinyin: Nǎinai wèi wǒmen zhǔnbèile yī dùn fēngshèng de wǎncān, zài chúfáng lǐ **mánglù**le yī xiàwǔ. * English: Grandma prepared a sumptuous dinner for us; she was busy in the kitchen all afternoon. * Analysis: This shows `忙碌` used with a duration (`一下午` - a whole afternoon) to emphasize the continuous nature of the activity. * **Example 6:** * 现代人的生活节奏快，**忙碌**似乎成了一种常态。 * Pinyin: Xiàndài rén de shēnghuó jiézòu kuài, **mánglù** sìhū chéngle yī zhǒng chángtài. * English: The pace of modern life is fast, and being busy seems to have become the new normal. * Analysis: `忙碌` is used here as a concept or a state of being that defines modern life. * **Example 7:** * 他是一位**忙碌**的商人，总是在出差的路上。 * Pinyin: Tā shì yī wèi **mánglù** de shāngrén, zǒng shì zài chūchāi de lùshàng. * English: He is a busy businessman, always on the road for work trips. * Analysis: Here, `忙碌的` acts as an adjective to describe the noun `商人` (businessman), defining his lifestyle. * **Example 8:** * 结束了一周的**忙碌**，我只想在家好好休息。 * Pinyin: Jiéshùle yīzhōu de **mánglù**, wǒ zhǐ xiǎng zàijiā hǎohǎo xiūxí. * English: After a week of busyness, I just want to rest well at home. * Analysis: In this sentence, `忙碌` functions like a noun, meaning "busyness" or "a period of being busy." * **Example 9:** * 他的生活虽然**忙碌**，但非常充实。 * Pinyin: Tā de shēnghuó suīrán **mánglù**, dàn fēicháng chōngshí. * English: Although his life is busy, it is very fulfilling. * Analysis: This example shows the common pairing of `忙碌` with `充实` (fulfilling), which gives it a very positive connotation. * **Example 10:** * 春节前，家家户户都在**忙碌**地大扫除，准备过年。 * Pinyin: Chūnjié qián, jiājiāhùhù dōu zài **mánglù** de dàsǎochú, zhǔnbèi guònián. * English: Before the Spring Festival, every household is busy doing a big clean-up to prepare for the new year. * Analysis: The adverbial form `忙碌地` (mánglù de) is used here to describe how the action (`大扫除` - big clean-up) is performed. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `忙碌 (mánglù)` and `忙 (máng)`. * **`忙 (máng)`:** Use for immediate, short-term situations. It's the simple, common, everyday word for "busy." * Correct: `你现在**忙**吗？` (Nǐ xiànzài **máng** ma?) - Are you busy right now? * Correct: `我今天下午很**忙**。` (Wǒ jīntiān xiàwǔ hěn **máng**.) - I'm very busy this afternoon. * **`忙碌 (mánglù)`:** Use for a longer period, a general state of being, or to add descriptive weight. It implies a more complex or sustained level of activity. * Correct: `我最近的生活很**忙碌**。` (Wǒ zuìjìn de shēnghuó hěn **mánglù**.) - My life has been very busy lately. **Common Mistake:** Using `忙碌` for a simple, direct question about the present moment. * Incorrect: `你现在忙碌吗？` (Nǐ xiànzài mánglù ma?) * Why it's wrong: This sounds overly formal and awkward, like asking "Are you in a state of bustling activity at this very moment?" The simple, direct word `忙` is much more natural. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[忙]] (máng) - The more common, versatile, and casual word for "busy." * [[辛苦]] (xīnkǔ) - Hard; toilsome; laborious. This describes the feeling of hardship and fatigue that can result from being `忙碌`. * [[加班]] (jiābān) - To work overtime. A frequent cause of a `忙碌` work life in modern China. * [[充实]] (chōngshí) - Fulfilled; substantial. A positive word often used to describe a `忙碌` but meaningful life. * [[清闲]] (qīngxián) - At leisure; idle. The direct antonym of `忙碌`, describing a relaxed and unhurried state. * [[奔波]] (bēnbō) - To rush about; to be on the go. Describes the physical action associated with a `忙碌` lifestyle, like constant travel. * [[劳累]] (láolèi) - Tired; weary; fatigued. The physical or mental exhaustion that comes from being too `忙碌`. * [[日程]] (rìchéng) - Schedule; itinerary. A `忙碌` person usually has a very full `日程`.