笨重

• Pinyin: bèn zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 笨 = 竹 (bamboo) + 本 (root, phonetic); 重 = weight pictograph

Meaning

Heavy and cumbersome; bulky; unwieldy. Difficult to move or handle.

Describes objects that are both heavy and awkward to handle due to size or shape. Also used figuratively for systems, processes, or organizations that are inefficient and hard to maneuver.

Examples

1. 这台老式电视机又大又笨重，搬家的时候费了好大劲。 This old TV is big and bulky — moving it was a real hassle.
2. 她穿着笨重的棉衣，行动非常不方便。 She was wearing a heavy padded coat and could barely move.
3. 这个笨重的审批流程早就该简化了。 This cumbersome approval process should have been streamlined long ago.

Usage Guide

Context: objects, systems, descriptions

Tone: critical

Do Say

• 这个行李箱太笨重了。(This suitcase is too bulky.)
• 笨重的机械设备。(Heavy, unwieldy machinery.)

Don't Say

• 对轻便物品说'笨重' (Don't describe light items as 笨重 — it specifically means heavy and cumbersome)

Origin & History

笨 (clumsy) + 重 (heavy). Clumsily heavy.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal