奔波

• Pinyin: bēn bō
• Hanzi breakdown: 奔 = 大 (big) + 卉 (running legs); 波 = 氵 (water) + 皮 (phonetic)

Meaning

To rush about; to be on the go constantly. To travel back and forth busily.

Describes the physical and emotional toll of constantly traveling or moving from place to place for work, errands, or obligations. Often implies hardship, fatigue, and a sense of being stretched thin.

Examples

1. 为了孩子的教育，她整天在各个培训机构之间奔波。 For her child's education, she runs around between training centers all day.
2. 他这辈子奔波劳碌，从没好好休息过。 He's spent his whole life hustling and never properly rested.
3. 一整天奔波下来，我累得连饭都不想吃了。 After rushing around all day, I'm so tired I don't even want to eat.

Usage Guide

Context: work, life, hardship

Tone: sympathetic

Do Say

• 他整天在外面奔波。(He's out running around all day.)
• 别再奔波了，歇一歇吧。(Stop rushing around and take a break.)

Don't Say

• 把悠闲的旅行说成'奔波' (Don't use 奔波 for leisurely travel — it implies exhausting, necessary movement)

Origin & History

奔 (to run/rush) + 波 (wave). Rushing about like waves, constantly in motion.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal