Definition
人满为患 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'so crowded it becomes a problem'. The literal breakdown is 人 (people) + 满 (full) + 为 (become) + 患 (disaster/trouble). It describes places like subways, hospitals, or tourist sites that are uncomfortably overcrowded. In a workplace context it can also mean 'overstaffed' — too many employees for the work available.
f.e.
overcrowdedtoo many people causing congestion or trouble(of an organization) overstaffed
Examples
- 人满为患。Zhège lǚyóu jǐngdiǎn zài jiéjiàrì chángcháng rén mǎn wéi.This tourist spot is often overcrowded on holidays.
- ，人满为患。Gōngsī zuìjìn cái le yì pī yuángōng, yuánlái zǎo jiù rén mǎn wéi le.The company recently laid off some employees; it was already overstaffed.
- 人满为患，。Dìtiě zhàn rén mǎn wéi, lián zhàn de dìfang dōu méiyǒu.The subway station is so overcrowded that there's no standing room.
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