ban1 bo1奔波
Jyutpingban1 bo1
Yalebān bō
Definition
To dash about; to run around here and there to accomplish important tasks.
neutraldaily actionswork
How it's used
Implies a sense of weariness and physical exhaustion resulting from constant travel or effort. It is typically used for serious or significant life events rather than casual errands like grocery shopping. The term carries a slightly formal or literary weight even when used in spoken Cantonese.
Examples
They have been running around a lot lately to get the wedding sorted.
Related words
Common phrases
running around everywhere
toiling and running about
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple daily commutes or routine travel, as it specifically highlights the hardship and busy nature of pursuing a particular goal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
